Editor,

Both the administration and that of future presidents and Congress need to change our war-footing stance on defending Taiwan from Chinese dominance. The sovereignty of that island nation is up to their citizens and is not a choice of the United States, its policy makers and other nations.

Similar to Hong Kong, trade and other commerce would remain the same even with a Chinese dominance. There is absolutely no consideration to go to war, leading to untold tragedy and loss of life for the Taiwanese and Americans, and the Chinese. Strategically with modern weaponry, there is no logic in defending an area so close to China and so far from our nation’s shores.

We should indicate that we would not interfere with direct influence and confrontation over Taiwan, if China would agree to an international agreement over the rights of all nations to freely travel the Taiwan Straits and a non-aggression pact toward Taiwan and other islands in the Pacific under other nations’ control, to include the Philippines, Micronesia, Polynesia and Melanesia.

I believe China would agree to negotiate such a pact because of the prospect of improved political and economic ties with the Taiwan Island, as they have similarly settled in Hong Kong. Economically it would make no sense for the U.S. to expend trillions in a needless war with China over Taiwan, when we can continue to share the benefits of Taiwanese commerce even under a Chinese dominance.

For the sake of our people and those of the world, we need to lose face and admit that our policy is wrong on Taiwan. And I believe all nations and all people would respect the position of the United States and its allies to step down from this aggressive stance. I support the actions being taken in support of Ukraine because there is a moral standing. But one has to carefully weigh out what can only be a perceived threat to our trade.

Thomas Carey

Freeland