He did not mention damage to relations with China if the deal is canceled.
China is a major purchaser of Israeli arms.
The United States insists that Israel scrap the sale, pointing to tensions between China and Taiwan and expressing concern that China could use the plane to track American planes if hostilities erupt. In the U.S. Congress, representatives from both parties have threatened to cut American aid to Israel if the deal goes through. But the Israelis say the U.S. government is trying to undermine Israeli competition for arms markets in Asia. They warn that if they have to cancel a signed contract with China, it would harm their future credibility in arms deals. With the Israeli-Palestinian peace treaty talks in a critical phase, Barak depends on the Clinton administration's good will.