What Should the United States Foreign Policy be Towards Taiwan

This study explores what is in the best interest of the United States with regard to a declared Taiwan policy. It details current and historical relations between the United States and China and explores China's relationship with and influence over its regional neighbors and the influence it now exhibits with growing economic political and military power. The significant issues affecting the U.S.-China relationship are: China's role in the World Trade Organization; China's need to be seen as a rational world actor China's conventional and Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) military programs and China's relationship to the two Koreas and its possible role in resolving the North Korean nuclear issue. The paper explores policy options that will insure the protection of U.S. vital interests in the region and addresses alternative courses of action concluding that we should view China as a strategic partner but nonetheless use appropriate measures to prevent its dominance in East Asia.