Some of Taiwan's current subs are of World War II vintage
Plans by US President George W Bush to sell weapons including eight diesel-powered submarines to Taiwan have received an embarrassing setback at the hands of European governments.
Neither the Germans nor the Dutch, who have sown up the market in diesel submarines, are willing to allow the sale of the subs to Taiwan.
That leaves Mr Bush in the unusual position of having promised to sell technology his country does not control, and may have difficulty supplying.
US Government officials implied recently that the Germans or the Dutch may be able to supply the controversial subs.
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