WASHINGTON -- When China's National People's Congress convened in Beijing early this month, Premier Wen Jiabao highlighted his nation's military modernization campaign and breathed threats against Taiwan. It would be hard to find a worse time for Europe to offer China military aid.
The United States and Europe have grown apart and no presidential visit will change that. Although Europe won't be supplementing the U.S.-led garrison in Iraq, Washington might be able to convince Europe not to lift its ban on arms sales to China.
The fact that the interests of sovereign nations, even ones so closely tied in the past, sometimes diverge shouldn't surprise anyone. Nevertheless, the U.S. and Europe share a number of interests, including preserving their generally free and prosperous societies.