Opposition Democratic Progressive Party Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen has argued that the signing of an economic cooperation framework agreement (ECFA) between Taiwan and China would create a 'China-centered East Asia' and would weaken and marginalize the U.S. role in the region. Tsai received a slap in the face, however, when the American Institute in Taiwan said the United States welcomed the establishment of the cross-Taiwan Strait trade pact. The U.S. approval of President Ma Ying-jeou's cross-strait policy indicates a shift in Washington's strategic thinking: In dealing with China, Taiwan must move from confrontation to peace, and from military and political wrestling to economic and trade co-opetition. Washington probably is well aware that it would be impossible for the United States to meddle in cross-strait relations with military means; and the best way to balance cross-strait ties is to help Taiwan become a regional economic platform. Blocking the ECFA would be equal to denying foreign and Chinese businesses access to Taiwan, which would in turn undermine Taiwan's strategic goal of using an international economic and trade network to build up its national security system. What Taiwan can and should do is open its doors rapidly and improve its economic and trade environment, allowing businesses from Taiwan, China, the United States and other countries to form an intricate 'interest group' in Taiwan and become Taiwan's security system. Signing the ECFA with China will only be a very small step. However, without this small step, Taiwan will not have anything else. 