Q&A · 2:51:40-2:52:39

Could China absorb sanctions after taking Taiwan?

China could survive sanctions, but the duration and cost of the war would determine how badly they constrain growth and bargaining power.

Question

If China won the war, could it live through the resulting sanctions?

Short answer

Survival is possible, but the projected damage depends on how China wins and how long sanctions last.

Notes

The sanctions scenario considers both a six-month period and restrictions continuing for a year or more. China could survive the shorter period while its economic position remained damaged. The outcome would also depend on how costly the victory had been in forces and personnel. Continued sanctions would limit economic influence abroad even where ways around them existed.