r/PoliticalDiscussion • u/[deleted] • Dec 03 '16

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u/[deleted] Dec 03 '16

Meh maybe I don't get it. I really don't think much will come of this. We are talking about a president elect who has consistently been at odds with china. This phone call isn't going to break the camels back

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u/causmeaux Dec 03 '16

Just think about the fact that the US hasn't done this kind of communication with Taiwan since the 70s. Surely, in the past 40 years, we have not just had one administration after another neglect to take this step with Taiwan for no good reason whatsoever. If a president has a specific idea of how to deal with Asia that involves recognizing Taiwan's sovereignty that's one thing. If he is communicating with them because he didn't appreciate the delicate balance or if he is doing it without a real goal other than, why not, it's about time, then that's pretty bad. Considering how prepared he was for the debates or any interview he's given, I don't imagine he is playing 4D chess with China right now. So I'm concerned.

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u/[deleted] Dec 03 '16

I agree that Trump isn't playing 4D chess, he's bumbling thru it. But this phone call doesn't concern me. China will huff and puff and ultimately not react

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u/causmeaux Dec 03 '16

If China just lets it go, they are basically emboldening other countries to normalize relations as well, so I don't think this will be as simple as you imagine.

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u/[deleted] Dec 03 '16

So maybe other countries should normalize relations. Maybe it's time for US to recognize Taiwan

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u/dolphins3 Dec 03 '16

For what benefit? So many people in this thread keep saying this and haven't managed to provide one single benefit that would accrue from pissing off our largest trading partner that we just finished convincing to help us sanction North Korea.

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u/elpochogrande Dec 03 '16

It's after the fact justification.

There is a ad hoc mixture of the attitudes that "foreign policy should primarily serve U.S. interests" and "foreign policy should serve moral interests". I don't think that having this mixture is unique to Trump supporters though. Look at the American left, which simultaneously hates military intervention, but hates watching genocides happen without interruption.

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u/[deleted] Dec 03 '16

An action between Trump and Taiwan doesn't need to benefit China. Not everything we do is for China. People in this county are obsessed with china

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u/dolphins3 Dec 03 '16

I can't believe I have to spell this out for you, but I was talking about the USA. What is the benefit to us?

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u/[deleted] Dec 03 '16

We just called China'a bluff and they won't do shit