2 February 2010 White House warns China against sanctioning US firms (AFP)
WASHINGTON - The United States warned on Monday that China would not be warranted in imposing sanctions on US firms in retaliation for a US decision to sell a package of arms to Taiwan.
As the row over the arms shipment announced last week escalated, the White House stressed that it wanted a relationship with China in which disagreements could be voiced “out in the open.”
Asked about a Chinese threat to sanction US firms involved in the sale, spokesman Robert Gibbs said: “I think our reaction to that... (is) that would not be warranted.”
Gibbs said that President Barack Obama had spoken to Chinese leaders when he visited Beijing in November about the question of arms sales to Taiwan, and other issues.
“We’ve always said that we want the type of relationship where we’re working together on important issues of mutual concern,” Gibbs said.
“But when we have disagreements... we’ll voice those disagreements out in the open, in public.
“I think that’s the type of relationship we’ve had with China during this administration and one that we’ll continue to have.”
The Pentagon Friday sparked the latest challenge to China-US relations under Obama when it approved the 6.4-billion-dollar sale of Patriot missiles, Black Hawk helicopters, mine-hunting ships and other weaponry to Taiwan.
China responded furiously with a raft of reprisals, saying it would suspend military and security contacts with Washington and impose sanctions on US firms involved in the deal.
As the row over the arms shipment announced last week escalated, the White House stressed that it wanted a relationship with China in which disagreements could be voiced “out in the open.”
Asked about a Chinese threat to sanction US firms involved in the sale, spokesman Robert Gibbs said: “I think our reaction to that... (is) that would not be warranted.”
Gibbs said that President Barack Obama had spoken to Chinese leaders when he visited Beijing in November about the question of arms sales to Taiwan, and other issues.
“We’ve always said that we want the type of relationship where we’re working together on important issues of mutual concern,” Gibbs said.
“But when we have disagreements... we’ll voice those disagreements out in the open, in public.
“I think that’s the type of relationship we’ve had with China during this administration and one that we’ll continue to have.”
The Pentagon Friday sparked the latest challenge to China-US relations under Obama when it approved the 6.4-billion-dollar sale of Patriot missiles, Black Hawk helicopters, mine-hunting ships and other weaponry to Taiwan.
China responded furiously with a raft of reprisals, saying it would suspend military and security contacts with Washington and impose sanctions on US firms involved in the deal.
Dave Mason-We Just Disagree - The U.S.- China Love/Hate Affair ~
Been away, haven't seen you in a while.
How've you been?
Have you changed your style and do you think
That we've grown up differently? Don't seem the same
Seems you've lost your feel for me
So let's leave it alone, 'cause we can't see eye to eye.
There ain't no good guys, there ain't no bad guys.
There's only you and me and we just disagree.
Ooo - ooo - ooohoo oh - oh - o-whoa
I'm going back to a place that's far away. How bout you?
Have you got a place to stay? Why should I care?
When I'm just trying to get along We were friends
But now it's the end of our love song...
So let's leave it alone, 'cause we can't see eye to eye.
There ain't no good guys, there ain't no bad guys.
There's only you and me and we just disagree.
Ooo - ooo - ooohoo oh - oh - o-whoa
So let's leave it alone, 'cause we can't see eye to eye.
There ain't no good guys, there ain't no bad guys.
There's only you and me and we just disagree.
Ooo - ooo - ooohoo oh - oh - o-whoa
