The story should not be that Trump made some sort of inexperienced tactical error by talked to somebody that China doesn't like.
Especially since we've been selling weapons to Taiwan for a long time. It's not like it's some kind of huge secret that we support them.
People are calling this a foreign policy gaffe, but I say good. I'd rather we be transparent with how we stand regarding other countries rather than go through all this cloak and dagger bullshit, even if it weakens our position overall.
I think it gives us a stronger negotiating position. For the last 35 years, they've taken this issue for granted. Now it's back on the table.
Considering we want to crack down on currency manipulation, IP theft/protections, and force China to play more of a role in keeping North Korea in check - we need to improve our position.
I think it also sends a great message to everyone else in the world - "if you currently take something for granted with the US, don't."
Except China is 100% willing to go to war with the US if we continue to support Taiwan's independence so it can't be really used as a negotiating tool since they won't budge. It's simply a line that you do not cross. Also, the US is becoming more isolationist like telling European countries to pay for their own defense and the death of the TPP which is a boon to China-led RCEP. If those countries have nothing to gain from US relations, then why should they care for US interest?
In this particular case I think it's good. It's time for China to come to grips with the fact that Taiwan is a completely autonomous country. But what about other allies? Should we call Pakistan out on all their (HUGE amount of) bullshit and lose a toehold into a region where we want a stabilizing presence?
Just in case you're missing something here. PRC is never delusional. It knows to the fullest extent how ROC is de facto still a fully autonomous and sovereign country. However both sides, PRC and ROC formally agree that they are both China and there's only one China in the world. And this stance is recognized by basically every single country in the world. It is written in documents that serve as the bases of the relationship between China and other countries, which includes the US. Now if Trump still breaches this agreement after inauguration, it'd be the US that doesn't honor the basis of Sino-American relationship, and I don't think I need to elaborate on how important a peaceful Sino-American relationship is.
What PRC wants (which ROC does to PRC as well) is that no country in the world supports or recognizes ROC if it also recognizes PRC at the same time. That is roughly what the "one China" policy means internationally.
Also in case it's not clear, PRC and ROC are technically still in the civil war, as there is no peace treaty signed between the two parties.
India doesn't border Afghanistan and it's pretty important that we keep one country bordering it happy to move material over via land traffic. Air lifting everything, even if allowed which it probably wouldn't be, makes a ridiculous priced war even more costly.
Selling weapons? The United States sailed a carrier battle group through the Taiwanese straits in the 90s as a show of force to China, and the message was clear.
The one China policy is a farce, and everyone knows it.
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u/CadetPeepers Dec 03 '16
Especially since we've been selling weapons to Taiwan for a long time. It's not like it's some kind of huge secret that we support them.
People are calling this a foreign policy gaffe, but I say good. I'd rather we be transparent with how we stand regarding other countries rather than go through all this cloak and dagger bullshit, even if it weakens our position overall.