Trump Hasn’t Even Taken Office Yet, but He’s Already Provoking a Diplomatic Crisis With China
He isn’t even in the White House yet, but Donald Trump is already provoking a serious diplomatic dispute with China by making a direct call to the president of Taiwan — even though the US position is that Taiwan is part of China.
The Financial Times, citing three sources, reports that Trump called Tsai Ying-wen, the president of Taiwan, on Friday. The call is a symbolic breach of the United States’ “One China” policy, which recognizes Beijing as the only government, that has been in place since 1972.
The call will antagonize China and risks “opening up a major diplomatic dispute with China before he has even been inaugurated.”
And the motivation behind this dangerous provocation? The Trump Organization is trying to expand its business opportunities in Taiwan.
The Shanghaiist reported on the Trump Organization’s interest last month:
A representative from the Trump Organization paid a visit to Taoyuan in September, expressing interest in the city’s Aerotropolis, a large-scale urban development project aimed at capitalizing on Taoyuan’s status as a transport hub for East Asia, Taiwan News reports.With the review process for the Aerotropolis still underway, Taoyuan’s mayor referred to the subject of the meeting as mere investment speculation. Other reports indicate that Eric Trump, the president-elect’s second son and executive vice president of the Trump Organization, will be coming to Taoyuan later this year to discuss the potential business opportunity.
DNC blasts what they’re calling “Trump’s Foolish Taiwan Call”: pic.twitter.com/jxE4KErVwp
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) December 3, 2016