Calling off the deal

Beijing

China’s Foreign Ministry accused the U.S. of “carping” and “outside interference” this week, after Israel canceled a planned sale of radar-seeking drones to China. The U.S. had pressured Israel not to sell the advanced aircraft, because China could use the planes against Taiwan—or against U.S. forces defending Taiwan. This is not the first time U.S. pressure caused Israel to renege on China: In 2000, Israel canceled a $1 billion deal to sell early warning radar planes. Israel now says it will allow the Pentagon to review proposed arms sales, so Beijing won’t be promised weapons that Israel ends up not delivering.

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