Our European "Allies" and the China Threat

Well, there they go again:

The European Union implemented an arms embargo after the Chinese regime's slaughter of demonstrators in Tiananmen Square. But a number of European companies and governments see potential profits from servicing Beijing's arms needs; PRC defense spending has been growing around ten or so percent annually and now stands at a respectable $150 billion a year.

Some Europeans also hope to become a counterweight to America and believe a relationship with China will aid that effort. A French foreign ministry figure was quoted: "Of course we are in favor of lifting the embargo. It no longer corresponds to the reality of the Euro-Chinese strategic partnership."

The betting now is that the EU will drop the prohibition at its June meeting in Brussels.

Isn't it funny how the very same criticisms leveled at the U.S. over our Middle East policy seem to be much more the raison d'etre of European foreign policy? In other words, it's perfectly fine for Europeans arms merchants to make a mint shipping truncheons to thugs, but quite another thing for the U.S. to overthrow a tyranny fueled by oil sales.