Congress and the Bush Administration will very soon consider sale of advanced weapons systems to Taiwan. Many members of Congress see this as a pressure point to be used in negotiations. The same is true for normal trade relations status for China. Some on Capitol Hill want to withdraw the normal trade status granted China last year. Beijing wants to host the 2008 Olympic games and U.S. support is important.
Trade is hugely important to both countries.
This fall, Mr. Bush is scheduled to go to Shanghai for an international economic conference and then pay a state visit to Beijing. He could snub China and cancel the trip. In Washington, very few understand why the Chinese are acting like they are, with so much at stake. But China's political leadership is not secure in the power it holds and obviously feels it needs more time to work out a diplomatic solution. From their point of view, China is moving quickly to resolve the situation, even if it seems slow by America's standards.