White House: Potential China sanctions on US companies unwarranted over Taiwan dispute
By APMonday, February 1, 2010
White House: China sanctions on US unwarranted
WASHINGTON — A White House spokesman says it would “not be warranted” for China to slap sanctions on U.S. companies in retaliation for the Obama administration’s plans to sell arms to Taiwan.
The plan to sell $6.4 billion of arms to the island, which China claims as its own territory, has drawn a barrage of criticism since it was announced Friday. Beijing announced the unprecedented threat of sanctions to penalize the companies involved in building the arms, although it has not been specific.
White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said President Barack Obama discussed the arms plans during his visit with Chinese officials in November.
Gibbs said the U.S. is working with China on issues of mutual concerns and airing disagreements publicly when they occur.
