Of course, kowtowing to China on behalf of American corporate interests would be nothing new. If Bush were to demand return of the American plane and crew on pain of suffering economic sanctions, those airmen and women would be on the next flight home. But that could come with a price tag. American companies competing with European and Japanese firms next time around for contracts in China might then find themselves suddenly losing out on deals they should have won. That's why the crew may have to cool their heels in captivity in Hainan for a while, while Chinese intelligence experts comb through their grounded airplane and see how much they can make the Bush team squirm.
Experts weigh in.