Bloomberg: Trump Drops Taiwan Gambit, a Relief for China’s Xi and Asia

Shortly after being elected US president, Donald Trump toyed with the idea of discarding the longstanding One China policy, a move that would destabilize the Asia Pacific region. “Three weeks into his presidency, the threat to upend U.S. policy on Taiwan – a breakaway province in China’s eyes – is off the table,” reports Bloomberg News. “The White House said Trump agreed in a phone call Thursday with China’s President Xi Jinping to respect the policy, which has been the basis of ties since the 1970s.” The Chinese and US presidents discussed the policy during a telephone call described as lengthy and cordial. During the US presidential campaign, Trump had accused China of unfair trade practices and currency manipulation. Chinese diplomats state they are ready to cooperate with the United States on trade, investment as well as North Korea and Iran. Before the call, US and Chinese military aircraft came within 305 meters of each other near Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea. Japan, Taiwan and other neighbors expressed relief about confirmation of the “One China” policy. But diplomats in Asia anticipate more surprises, offhand remarks and unseasoned diplomacy along with need to respond with what Chinese diplomats call “strategic composure.” – YaleGlobal