Posted on 12/03/2016 2:31:40 PM PST by E. Pluribus Unum
WASHINGTON — Over the past two decades, Taiwan has slipped from its position atop the list of flash points in the complex relationship between the United States and China. In meetings between President Obama and President Xi Jinping of China, it has typically come up after half a dozen more pressing issues, like trade, cyberattacks and Beijing’s aggressive moves in the South China Sea.
Now, though, in a single protocol-shattering phone call with the president of Taiwan, President-elect Donald J. Trump has thrust it back on the table. Not since President Richard M. Nixon met with Mao Zedong in 1972 — when the two issued the Shanghai Communiqué clarifying the status of Taiwan — has an American leader so shaken up the diplomatic status quo on the issue.
“Taiwan is about to become a more prominent feature of the overall U.S.-China relationship,” said Jon M. Huntsman, who served as ambassador to China during Mr. Obama’s first term. “As a businessman, Donald Trump is used to looking for leverage in any relationship. A President Trump is likely to see Taiwan as a useful leverage point.”
In the short run, Mr. Trump has rattled the entire region. Representatives of several Asian countries contacted the White House on Saturday to express concern, according to a senior administration official.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
This is leverage. It is also the right thing to do (to a point). Trump continues to impress.
Side issue - Is everyone here aware that China imposes tariffs of 100-500 percent or more on imports - and not only imports but also goods manufactured in China with western brands?
And the idiot libs are worried about a 30% tariff on our side?
Surprise your foes, come at them from different directions. Never let them rest.
Exactly what the Zero doesn’t do.
The president or whatever of Taiwan called Trump. What was he going to do, be a total ass and not take the call?
As Trump supporter and Chinese American, I would like to see President of Taiwan visit Trump tower and Trump himself wait for her in the lobby and accompany her up elevator.
He can do it because trump tower is not us government site
That would be fun to watch
As opposed to 'metric spaces' for European snowflakes. ;-)
Sometimes a phone call is just a phone call.
If he had declined to take the call, the talking point today would be "Donald Trump snubbed one of our most important allies in the far east."
Great story!
We should sell Taiwan anything they are willing to buy up to and including the F-35. And all the air/missile defense the island can host.
They are buying good subs from Japan, but they could use a few more.
It is a proper strategic counter to China’s claims over the whole of the South China Sea.
Exactly, Trump is an experienced businessman and knows that you negotiate toe to toe and don’t back down. The absolute opposite of Obama/Clinton, who begin all negotiations with, “the United States apologizes deeply for all the past transgressions we’ve committed, which are too numerous to list.”
If China wants to shove their weight around in the South China Sea, they may find that President Trump is perfectly willing to shove our weight around in the Taiwan Strait.
I have a friend who throws a paper, and refers to the NYT simply as “the commie rag”.
Cebu City (WPI)....... Ramon Calderon, the representative from Cebu, was quoted in an interview to say the personal animosity between President Donald trump and Minister Qi Xing Ren was lose in the world affairs. To bring such personal thoughts into the role of international diplomacy was very troublesome. The repercussions for the fragile Cebu economy are thought to be ominous.
Further Peaches Santiago the Senator representing Legaspi, expressed disgust for the total failure of diplomacy that is expected to be disastrous for the current trade lanes on which the country is dependent. She speculated that the return of the bases at Subic Bay and Cubi point on the Bataan peninsula might be incentive for strengthening relations to avoid the perceived disaster.
They are popping cyanide right now!
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