The war that would make Iran look mild

The Taiwan Strait remains the main highway moving technology and consumer goods from the factories of Northeast Asia to the stores of America.

Some 20 percent of all global maritime trade passes through the Taiwan Strait.

A blockade by China could cause a $10.6 trillion hit to the world’s economies in a year,
about 9.6 percent of global economic activity, according to one reliable estimate.

Xi hasn’t ruled out taking Taiwan with force.

It’s in the world’s interest for America to deter such a conflict,
which is why the Trump administration announced an $11 billion arms package for Taiwan in December.

The new weapons would include sophisticated rocket systems

But this package has been delayed,
reportedly because Trump is concerned about upsetting Xi before their talks.

He appears to be prioritizing getting a trade deal with China over assisting with Taiwan’s defense,
but the best way to promote stability is to make China believe an invasion wouldn’t succeed.

Maintaining stable relations with China is important.

But so is defending free trade, navigation and open supply chains in the Pacific.

Sending more weapons to Taiwan will raise Beijing’s ire,
but delaying is a costly mistake that could encourage more aggression down the road.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2026/03/07/taiwan-strait-china-iran-war-hormuz/