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Has Donald Trump Just Threatened Sino-American Relations?

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The new president-elect of the United States has been sending ripples of tension and anger among citizens across the globe from the beginning of his campaign, but recently he’s made a diplomatic wave with his latest phone call – with Taiwan. President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan had phoned to deliver her congratulations to Trump, as was first confirmed by Taiwanese media as well as Trump himself shortly after:

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“During the call President Tsai and President-elect Trump, besides having an intimate and relaxed conversation, also shared their views and concepts on future important policy points,” according to a statement released by Taiwan’s president on her official website. The exchange included a discussion “to promote the domestic economy and strengthen national defense, allowing the people better lives and a guarantee of security.” Trump’s transition team had also commented on the call.

This casual yet controversial conversation between Donald Trump and and Taiwan’s president, Tsai Ing-wen, is the first reported between the two countries since 1979, so it’s a pretty big deal. Although Tsai and Trump may be satisfied with the call’s results as their teams have suggested, it does have potentially harmful implications for US-China relations.

How so? Well, relations between the United States, China and Taiwan are overseen by the One-China Policy – a set of protocols based on the view that there is only one “China” despite two governments claiming differently. In 1979, the US officially recognised the People’s Republic of China’s claim of “one China” that includes Taiwan. Beijing has often referred to Taiwan as a renegade province, aka a state that essentially ‘rebelled’ or ‘betrayed’ the greater country it is part of. Taiwan, however, does not exactly recognise this – some see the Republic of China based in Taipei as the “one China”, while others advocate for the Taiwan’s independence. This disagreement has created tension between the two Asian countries for years, and the US’s recognition of PRC’s “one China” had been the last diplomatic interaction between the United States and Taiwan. Until now.

With the United States’s new supposed rapport with Taiwan, China has fair reason to be infuriated. The phone call was a provocative move for Trump, but then again, the word practically defines him. Though the situation looked like a race to the bottom, China refused to let its boats sink as Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi dismissed the phone call as a “petty action” for Taiwan and reasserted the One-China policy:

“It is impossible to change the one-China situation that the international community has formed. The one-China principle is the solid foundation of the healthy development of Sino-US relations, and we do not want any interference or damage to this political foundation.”

China also looked to the White House for a response, in which several spokespersons for the White House National Security Council reaffirmed the US’s recognition of the policy:

“We remain firmly committed to our ‘one China’ policy based on the three Joint Communiques and the Taiwan Relations Act. Our fundamental interest is in peaceful and stable cross-Strait relations.”

A big “phew” for the US. However, the world will be looking at the US’s actions closely in the next four years, as an incident so soon into Trump’s presidency signifies more to come. And we don’t enjoy probation.

Also, this is not the first time he’s been so careless in foreign relations. Just last week in a phone call with Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sherif, Donald Trump offered his cooperation and praise to the Pakistani leader, even accepting an invitation to visit the country:

“You are a terrific guy. I am looking forward to see you soon. Your country is amazing with tremendous opportunities. Pakistanis are one of the most intelligent people. I am ready and willing to play any role that you want me to play to address and find solutions to the outstanding problems.”

Despite being a friendly phone call, Trump may have threatened global stability as well. As India and Pakistan have gone through numerous wars and the dispute continues today, Trump’s cozying up to the Pakistani Prime Minister may endanger the needed alliance that the US has with India.

What is Trump doing?

As an American Born Chinese currently residing in China, I must say I’m worried. The lack of caution with which Trump addresses with his foreign counterparts is distressing, as his negligence may spark unnecessary tension between countries and concern amongst civilians – already seen in this case. The progress that the Obama administration has made with securing good relations ought not be damaged by recklessness. As both China and the US are superpowers on the global stage, world peace in a sense comes down especially to these two. The question is, can Trump pull through? Tides of tension, and perhaps worse, loom if not. For the sake of Americans, the Chinese, ABCs, the whole world, you name it – I hope he doesn’t drown us ashore.

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