Trump & Taiwan; super smart or dumber than a box of rocks?

1. 80

   ptosisposted 8 years ago

   Trump & Taiwan; super smart or dumber than a box of rocks?
   
   “If he tries to sabotage the One China policy or harm China’s core interests, ultimately he will lift a rock only to crush his own toes,” - Wang Yi “Beijing should be prepared for the worst-case scenarios, particularly regarding Taiwan, as a presumptuous and ill-guided Trump looks set to usher in an era of turmoil, ... Trump’s bloated and bloating ego may prevent him from seeing that is the likely outcome that lies ahead if he persists with this gamble. .. Especially in the Taiwan Strait, China is now confident enough to arm-wrestle with Trump
   
   

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2. 94

   lions44posted 8 years ago

   I may be a Trump hater, but as President (and especially Pres. elect), he can say whatever he wants. Why should a President of the U.S. "worry" about how another nation feels?  China is a rival and will be pissed off publicly about anything the U.S. does.  No nation or their leader should be able to tell a President what he or she can say.  This is a minor blip. 
   
   Taiwan is a democracy with a female President (its second). They should be supported, if only covertly.
   
   I only hope when he is President that he maintains strong ties with Japan, South Korea and the Philippines. Unfortunately, he will get off on the wrong foot by withdrawing from the TPP, which would have been a vital check on China.  That is the real error in his policy.  He'll be making a thousand silly statements over the next four years, I just hope they turn into Iraq-like blunders.

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      ptosisposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Can - but should? needlessly aggressive twitter ""We should tell China that we don't want the drone they stole back - let them keep it!"  or completely clueless?

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      Ericdierkerposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Lumping together a group of trading partners is lunacy. Country by country and flexible to respond to abuses is favorable. So you have a TPP that Korea violates with Vietnam and Japan violates with Philippines, but you are stuck You do not do this..

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   tamarawilhiteposted 8 years ago

   * A future president talking to the head of a major trading nation is not unreasonable.
   * It is a minor thing to China and they've already said it doesn't matter to their policies.
   * It gives Trump a minor issue to use against China, its desire to pretend there is no democratic Chinese nation, in any trade negotiations.
   * Compared to China sailing war ships around the Pacific and building military bases on islands, this is a peaceful, diplomatic maneuver by Trump.

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      Ericdierkerposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      This stupid idea that "there can only be one China" was OK back in '71, The UN is lame on the issue. If the TPP goes away and we trade nation to nation -- Taiwan may be in the mix.

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      ptosisposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Good answer Tamara.  It is a bit schizophrenic to pretend Taiwan doesn't exist. I'm just not sure a little island is so important to piss off the giant Panda over.

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4. 46

   Ericdierkerposted 8 years ago

   Our relationship with China has never been about anything but economics. We do not effect their domestic of foreign policy. If we put up bases in Taiwan and pushed for their acceptance into the UN, contrary the the UN's stupid "one China" nonsense and increased aid and trade with Taiwan. China would sword rattle and quote ancient Chinese wisdom but that is all they would do.
   A huge US debt is owed to China, and right now the Chinese economy is suffering due to the rising USD worth. I have to assume that Chinese nukes and military might in general -- the only time it has been tested since WWII where they failed is a border battle with Vietnam, in which Vietnam kicked their ass. Well that got them past being considered a 3rd world country -- but that is exactly what they are.
   Each province is in fact ruled by a general. The generals are involved with international trade and they skim so much off the top that it is pitiful. talking billions not millions It is not so clear that the National Gov. could get the support of all provinces.
   When we look at China and apply our Western logic it just does not fit. Americans doing business there will 100% tell you that.
   An interesting study is Stilwell and the Land Lease concepts of WWII.

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