President-elect Trump might have his first diplomatic row on his hands after his phone call with the president of Taiwan went public. This is an issue because for over 30 years, the U.S. has maintained a “one-China” policy and there has been no direct contact between a U.S. president and the leader of Taiwan since 1979:
Oh. https://t.co/QIB01NJVXk pic.twitter.com/USY17V6iyc
— Chris Geidner (@chrisgeidner) December 2, 2016
whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat https://t.co/bymFKOjexw
— Matt Pearce ? (@mattdpearce) December 2, 2016
Honestly, this is just *insane* https://t.co/8YbV81gGmC
— Chris Hayes (@chrislhayes) December 2, 2016
'The Chinese leadership will see this as a highly provocative action, of historic proportions.' https://t.co/Gp5FB0aiqa
— Financial Times (@FT) December 2, 2016
Until Donald Trump's call, it's believed no US president or president-elect has contacted Taiwan's leader since 1979 https://t.co/SDnPGcFL6k
— Financial Times (@FT) December 2, 2016
The Trump transition team just put out this statement on the call:
Trump transition statement on Taiwan pic.twitter.com/3AKoWIDgzg
— Garance Franke-Ruta (@thegarance) December 2, 2016
Some reporters are questioning if the president-elect understands the sensitivities involved:
The problem with being president, @realDonaldTrump, is that the world suddenly takes what you say quite literally. https://t.co/GaUhyVtIfK
— Jamil Smith (@JamilSmith) December 2, 2016
Donald Trump may not be aware of all diplomatic sensitivies, but you can be assured other countries are https://t.co/xejH5bakEZ
— Michelle Jones (@Michelle_RJones) December 2, 2016
I really wonder whether Trump team didn't *know* they shouldn't call Taiwan, or just didn't care
— Kim Soffen (@kimsoffen) December 2, 2016
Although in the past, Trump criticized President Obama for delaying the sale of F-16 fighters to Taiwan, which suggests he has some knowledge of what’s going on:
https://twitter.com/SteveKopack/status/804812704846401536
Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut even suggested that Trump’s phone call could lead to war:
(1) Foreign policy consistency is a means, not an end. It's not sacred. Thus, it's Trump's right to shift policy, alliances, strategy.
— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) December 2, 2016
(2) What has happened in the last 48 hours is not a shift. These are major pivots in foreign policy w/out any plan. That's how wars start.
— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) December 2, 2016
(3) And if they aren't pivots – just radical temporary deviations – allies will walk if they have no clue what we stand for. Just as bad.
— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) December 2, 2016
(4) It's probably time we get a Secretary of State nominee on board. Preferably w experience. Like, really really soon.
— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) December 2, 2016
Meh. Everyone relax and this too shall pass.
Update. The White House responds:
BREAKING: After Trump call, White House says US "firmly committed to our 'one China' policy" on cross-Taiwan Strait issues – @PeterAlexander
— NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt (@NBCNightlyNews) December 2, 2016
White House trying to tamp down the potential fallout with China pic.twitter.com/43Fwf44Dvi
— Bradd Jaffy (@BraddJaffy) December 2, 2016
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