I have always perceived the ongoing trade war and the Taiwan independence issue as international events. That was until they started impacting my life personally. The US-China trade war and the dispute over the sovereignty of Taiwan have led to a complex environment for American companies in China.

The island of Taiwan is the subject of a geopolitical dispute between the Republic of China (ROC), which controls it, and the People's Republic of China (PRC), which claims it as part of its territory. 

The surrender of Japan in 1945 brought an end to the Japanese rule of these islands and restored them under Chinese administration as intended by the major Allies of World War II. Due to the rivalry between the Kuomintang and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), post-war agreements did not specify the owner of the islands.

Originally based in mainland Chinabefore and during World War II, the ROC government retreated to Taiwanin 1949 after it was defeated by the CCP during the Chinese Civil War and the subsequent establishment of the People's Republic of China (PRC). Since then, the effective jurisdiction of the ROC has been limited to Taiwan proper and a collection of smaller islands.

Both the ROC and PRC legally and officially claim there is one China but ultimately disagree on who should govern it. The ROC constitution currently claims that the ROC is the legitimate government of all of China, including both mainland China and Taiwan; it however no longer considers the CCP a rebellious groupbut admits it as the "mainland authorities".[3][4] The PRC declares that there is only one sovereign state under the name China, with the PRC replacing ROC[5] and serving as the sole legitimate government of that China, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China,[6][7] claims Taiwan as one of its Chinese provinces[8]and has not ruled out the use of military force in the pursuit of Chinese unification.[9] It has proposed "one country, two systems" as a model for unification, though this has been rejected by the Taiwanese government.[10]

Within Taiwan, there is major political contention between eventual Chinese unification with a pan-Chinese identity contrasted with formal independence promoting a Taiwanese identity, though moderates supporting the status quo have gained broad appeal in the 21st century.[11][12]

Since 1949, multiple countries have faced a choice between the PRC and the ROC with regard to establishing formal diplomatic relations and shaping their respective "One China" policy. Initially excluded from the United Nations in favor of Taipei, Beijing has gained increased recognition as the legitimate government of China. The ROC has formal diplomatic relations with only twelve nations but maintains unofficial bilateral ties and membership in international organizations as a non-state entity.[13]

The Taiwan Strait is a vital maritime trade route, handling trillions of dollars’ worth of trade that pass through the sea between mainland China and Taiwan. The economy of Taiwan is also vital to the stability of the global economy, producing over 90 percent of the most cutting-edge semiconductor chips used in smartphones, data centers, and advanced military equipment. Disruptions to the supply of these technologies could wipe trillions of dollars from global GDP.[14]

The United States considered Taiwan as a vital component in its island-chain strategy to prevent PRC influence from extending into the Indo-Pacific, and potentially threatening Guam, Hawaii and the West Coast of the United States. China, on the other hand, views the strategy as a form of containment that seek to prevent China's rise to a superpower and accuse the U.S. of using Taiwan to overthrow the communist state.

Boeing, a company that I hold close to my heart, is one such American company facing challenges. Tariffs imposed by former President Trump's administration have pushed us into an unfair trading condition. However, Boeing has reluctantly continued to operate in mainland China. With My plea through this petition is for the company to consider the consequences and realities of this situation.

It's crucial to consider that China is officially the world's second-largest economy, with a GDP (purchasing power parity) of $24.16 trillion in 2020 (source: International Monetary Fund). However, the escalating tariffs and geopolitical tension surrounding Taiwan is threatening the viability of international businesses, like Boeing.

In recent times, reports show that the US-China trade war has cost US companies $1.7 trillion in the price of their stocks (source: Federal Reserve Bank of New York). Following this line, it is sensible for Boeing to withdraw from these unfavorable conditions, preserving its operations and shareholders from potential difficulties.

Air China was established in 1988 after the former Chinese flag carrier CAAC was split into six airlines, one of them being Air China. The airline is one of the largest airlines in China. It is 53.46% owned by the Chinese government-owned China National Aviation Holding.

Air China's hub airports are based in Beijing and Chengdu. In 2017, the airline carried 102 million domestic and international passengers with an average load factor of 81%. The airline joined Star Alliance in 2007.

Despite the international sanctions imposed on Russia due to its ongoing invasion of Ukraine, Air China continues to operate flights to and from Russia. This strategy has bolstered its dominance in the China-Europe market but has drawn criticism for indirectly supporting Russia's economy during its military aggression in Ukraine. Some believe Air China's ongoing operations to Russia disregard the ethical implications of the conflict, prioritizing profits over solidarity with international sanctions aimed at curbing Russia's actions.

I therefore advocate for a change. Let's encourage Boeing to exit mainland China, it is not only an act of retreat, but as an acknowledgment of a harsh and disadvantageous reality. Please sign this petition. Get your voice heard and let's end this economic struggle.