Prominent American economist Jeffrey Sachs has intensified scrutiny of U.S. military policy toward the Taiwan region, warning that continued arms sales risk destabilizing cross-strait relations. In recent statements, Sachs accused Washington of repeatedly testing China's core interests by supplying weapons to Taiwan despite Beijing's unequivocal opposition.
"The fundamental problem is that the U.S. believes it can disregard other nations' red lines with impunity," Sachs asserted, highlighting what he described as a pattern of provocative behavior. The economist cautioned that Taiwan authorities might dangerously misinterpret U.S. arms transfers as unconditional security guarantees, potentially leading to miscalculations in cross-strait decision-making.
This criticism comes amid heightened regional tensions, with Beijing consistently reaffirming its commitment to peaceful reunification while maintaining military readiness. Analysts note that 2025 has seen increased diplomatic efforts to manage strategic competition, though arms sales remain a persistent friction point.
Sachs urged renewed focus on diplomatic solutions, emphasizing: "True regional stability requires respecting sovereignty and avoiding actions that could be perceived as endorsing separatist agendas." The remarks have sparked fresh debate about conflict prevention mechanisms in the Asia-Pacific as global markets monitor potential economic repercussions.
