First US-Taiwanese presidential contact since diplomatic relations were cut in 1979
Source: Financial Times
Donald Trump risks opening up a major diplomatic dispute with China before he has even been inaugurated after speaking on the phone on Friday with Tsai Ying-wen, the president of Taiwan.
The telephone call, confirmed by three people, is believed to be the first between a US president or president-elect and a leader of Taiwan since diplomatic relations between the two were cut in 1979.
Although it is not clear if the Trump transition team intended the conversation to signal a broader change in US policy towards Taiwan, the call is likely to infuriate Beijing which regards the island as a renegade province.
The US has adopted the so-called One China policy since 1972 after the Nixon-Mao meetings and in 1978 President Jimmy Carter formally recognised Beijing as the sole government of China, with the US embassy closing in Taipei the year after.
Read more: https://www.ft.com/content/fd19907e-b8d4-11e6-961e-a1acd97f622d
Maybe if she's ever in town, they'll go out for Chinese food...
TuslaUltra
(75 posts)sdfernando
(4,929 posts)that he doesn't know the difference...he just hear "China"
Gonna be a fun 4-years
DesertRat
(27,995 posts)In a single day, Trump has invited Duterte to DC and potentially angered China by calling Taiwan. And he's still weeks away from inauguration.
truthisfreedom
(23,143 posts)the world, all the places we depend on for stability. Trump's fucking nuts. He's not inaugurated yet. Why is anyone letting him do this?
WHY DID THEY EVEN SHARE THE PHONE NUMBERS WITH SOMEONE WHO HASN'T OFFICIALLY BECOME PRESIDENT?
DesertRat
(27,995 posts)I wonder from where he's calling and if he's even using a secure line? This guy is going to cause worldwide chaos.
dhol82
(9,352 posts)scscholar
(2,902 posts)will he support California if they leave?
Bleacher Creature
(11,256 posts)Presidents get to take hard lines with other countries, but they can't do it as a means of furthering their personal finances.
This is getting out of control.
TheCowsCameHome
(40,168 posts)Recursion
(56,582 posts)OKNancy
(41,832 posts)but they will pretend to be outraged.
riversedge
(70,185 posts)tweet
Adam Jentleson ?@AJentleson 9m9 minutes ago
The entire world is now at the mercy of Trump's personal profit motive.
If it makes him money, he'll do it.
:large
christx30
(6,241 posts)any time someone doesn't kowtow to them. The Dalai Lama shows up and is hosted by a US president? China complains. Someone even breathes a word that, maybe, the Chinese occupation of Tibet isn't the best thing in the world, China complains.
In other words, screw China. If Taiwan wanted to be part of them, they would be. Not everyone wants to be communist.
#selfdetermination
philosslayer
(3,076 posts)christx30
(6,241 posts)You're in favor of forcing a people to be part of a country they don't want to be?
Maybe I'm just biased, being from a country that was founded by forcefully breaking away from a foreign power through a war.
I don't support Trump in any way. But I support any province that China conquered that wants to break away from China.
philosslayer
(3,076 posts)Senator Murray said actions like this could eventually result in war. I think we should appease the Chinese at all costs.
christx30
(6,241 posts)but lets face it: China is not a good partner at all. If France had cared about its relationship with Britain than it cared about personal liberty in 1778, we wouldn't have a country.
Taiwan does not want to be a part of China. They want to be separate. The only reason they haven't pushed for full independence is because they are woefully outnumbered and outgunned. Might makes right in this case, I guess.
I don't advocate a revolutionary war at all. But US politicians should be able to meet with anyone they want without China sticking it's nose in and bitching. If the President-elect wants to speak with Taiwan, or someone wants to host an award dinner with the Dalai Lama, what business is it of China's?
I think a tougher stance on China with regards to human rights would be a good thing. Some people are OK with being under Beijing's thumb. But not everyone is. Conditions in Tibet are terrible for native Tibetans. Monks burn themselves alive in protest conditions there. Their culture is being erased. But that's probably ok with you, as long as you can buy cheap shit at Walmart. After all, China did conquer them fair and square.
Calista241
(5,586 posts)With the Chinese trying to annex the entire South China Sea (which come right up against Phillipine territorial waters).
sarcasmo
(23,968 posts)duffyduff
(3,251 posts)The EC NEEDS to deny him and Pence the White House. The future of the country--the world--depends on it.
Skittles
(153,142 posts)this is a disaster
KewlKat
(5,624 posts)WHERE ARE HIS HANDLERS? Will any of us survive this nightmare? It gets worse each day.
Response to brooklynite (Original post)
Oneironaut This message was self-deleted by its author.