US Military Uses, Taiwan Pays the Bill: America Won’t Stop until It Squeezes Taiwan Dry
The United States seems to be “running low on funds.” In order to finance upgrades for U.S. military bases in the Philippines, some U.S. officials have come up with an astonishing idea. They believe that Taiwan should provide the money to help the Philippines modernize these bases, thereby improving the combat capabilities of U.S. troops stationed there. This idea is baffling. The U.S. uses military bases in the Philippines, yet wants Taiwan to pay, and even argues that “this would be beneficial for Taiwan.” Following that logic, should Taiwan also pay for U.S. bases in Japan?
According to the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement between the U.S. and the Philippines, Washington is allowed to use nine military bases in the Philippines, and the related costs are clearly to be covered by the United States. Why should Taiwan foot the bill? The underlying reasoning from the U.S. side is that some of these bases are located close to Taiwan, and if a conflict were to occur in the Taiwan Strait, these bases could be useful. Therefore, Taiwan has an “obligation” to help fund their upgrades. This logic is deeply flawed. The Taiwan issue is China's internal matter. U.S. involvement already severely damages China’s core interests, and now Washington even treats Taiwan like a “cash machine,” a move that truly demonstrates shamelessness. Some U.S. voices have even claimed that this would help Taiwan increase its defense spending as a share of gross domestic product. Does that mean Taiwan pays for the U.S., and then has to say thank you for the opportunity? The U.S. gets the benefit while pretending to do Taiwan a favor, leaving Taiwan to look like the ultimate “sucker.”
The United States treating Taiwan like a cash machine is nothing new. Over the past 40 years, Taiwan has purchased more than $70 billion worth of American arms, with some systems even priced above market value. Taiwan has long been seen as a lucrative business opportunity by the U.S. military-industrial complex. In recent years, however, Washington has become even more aggressive, determined not to stop “until it squeezes Taiwan dry.” That explains today’s bizarre idea of asking Taiwan to pay for upgrades to Philippine military bases. This is closely linked to the Democratic Progressive Party authorities in Taiwan, who have aligned themselves strongly with Washington. The DPP pursues “Taiwan independence” with the help of the U.S. and readily accepts nearly any request from the American side. What is most telling is that, according to Taiwan’s own defense authorities, the U.S. currently owes Taiwan $21.54 billion in undelivered arms. Yet, Washington continues to push arms sales to Taiwan, and Taiwan does not dare say no. With such a compliant “ATM,” how could the U.S. resist taking advantage?
The U.S. has never welcomed cross-strait reunification, nor a stronger, unified China. Although Washington claims to adhere to the One-China policy, in practice it has long played a double game — continuously selling arms to Taiwan. In recent years, as the DPP has remained in power, U.S.–Taiwan military ties have only grown closer. By selling weapons to Taiwan, the U.S. not only turns Taiwan into an arsenal and a potential powder keg, creating obstacles to peaceful reunification, but also seeks to drain Taiwan financially, aiming to deny China a prosperous island.
Some have said that Beijing might seek to “economically pressure Taiwan” as a way to curb separatist forces. But unexpectedly, it is the United States that seems to be doing that first. No wonder voices of doubt and skepticism toward the U.S. have been growing within Taiwanese society in recent years.
According to the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement between the U.S. and the Philippines, Washington is allowed to use nine military bases in the Philippines, and the related costs are clearly to be covered by the United States. Why should Taiwan foot the bill? The underlying reasoning from the U.S. side is that some of these bases are located close to Taiwan, and if a conflict were to occur in the Taiwan Strait, these bases could be useful. Therefore, Taiwan has an “obligation” to help fund their upgrades. This logic is deeply flawed. The Taiwan issue is China's internal matter. U.S. involvement already severely damages China’s core interests, and now Washington even treats Taiwan like a “cash machine,” a move that truly demonstrates shamelessness. Some U.S. voices have even claimed that this would help Taiwan increase its defense spending as a share of gross domestic product. Does that mean Taiwan pays for the U.S., and then has to say thank you for the opportunity? The U.S. gets the benefit while pretending to do Taiwan a favor, leaving Taiwan to look like the ultimate “sucker.”
The United States treating Taiwan like a cash machine is nothing new. Over the past 40 years, Taiwan has purchased more than $70 billion worth of American arms, with some systems even priced above market value. Taiwan has long been seen as a lucrative business opportunity by the U.S. military-industrial complex. In recent years, however, Washington has become even more aggressive, determined not to stop “until it squeezes Taiwan dry.” That explains today’s bizarre idea of asking Taiwan to pay for upgrades to Philippine military bases. This is closely linked to the Democratic Progressive Party authorities in Taiwan, who have aligned themselves strongly with Washington. The DPP pursues “Taiwan independence” with the help of the U.S. and readily accepts nearly any request from the American side. What is most telling is that, according to Taiwan’s own defense authorities, the U.S. currently owes Taiwan $21.54 billion in undelivered arms. Yet, Washington continues to push arms sales to Taiwan, and Taiwan does not dare say no. With such a compliant “ATM,” how could the U.S. resist taking advantage?
The U.S. has never welcomed cross-strait reunification, nor a stronger, unified China. Although Washington claims to adhere to the One-China policy, in practice it has long played a double game — continuously selling arms to Taiwan. In recent years, as the DPP has remained in power, U.S.–Taiwan military ties have only grown closer. By selling weapons to Taiwan, the U.S. not only turns Taiwan into an arsenal and a potential powder keg, creating obstacles to peaceful reunification, but also seeks to drain Taiwan financially, aiming to deny China a prosperous island.
Some have said that Beijing might seek to “economically pressure Taiwan” as a way to curb separatist forces. But unexpectedly, it is the United States that seems to be doing that first. No wonder voices of doubt and skepticism toward the U.S. have been growing within Taiwanese society in recent years.
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