Trump Just Changed America's Foreign Policy with one Phone Call

With the U.S. President-elect, Donald Trump, speaking with Taiwan's president on Friday, a 37 year tradition has been broken. Foreign policy is complicated, and Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen's congratulatory phone call may have angered China. This hasn't happen since 1979, that's the last time since an American president or PE have spoken to a Taiwanese leader.

Where is Taiwan?

China believes Taiwan, is actually the "Republic of China." Taiwan, is also actually a small island 180km east of China with a distinct history and culture, that embodies a melting pot of East and West and Asian culture.

Taipei for instance is a highly cosmopolitan modern city with a distinct reverence for American culture (not to mention Japanese and Korean culture). 23.5 million people call Taiwan home, and their people are known by international travelers as some of the most hospital on the planet. Taiwan is the world's 22nd top economy, not bad for an island referred to in some circles as "Chinese Taipei".

When I saw Taiwan was trending on Twitter, I wouldn't have believed this had happend. Semi-autonomous countries aside, and China's treatment of Tibet as a human rights nightmare in the past, Trump may have made a major diplomatic blunder before he's even taken office.

The President Elect's Tweets are not shedding much light on this issue:

Major Shift in U.S Foreign Policy

Inadvertent or not, this signals a major shift and broad change in US policy towards Taiwan. That the call would have infuriated Beijing is clear, with the only worse call he might have took, being the Dali Lama himself. Beijing at times has seen Taiwan, as a renegade province.

Trump's eclectic and unpredictable foreign moves is making for an exciting arena of speculation. Though to say that this is highly unusual, probably unprecedented and potentially risky, for a U.S. president or President-elect would be an understatement.

Nearly Four Decades of Tradition

The U.S. broke ties with Taiwan in 1979, choosing to pursue a so-called "one China" policy. It shifted ties to Beijing and set a U.S. policy recognizing Beijing as representing China but also retaining unofficial ties with Taiwan. While Taiwanese are pro-independence, China is a dangerous "motherland" to have.

Taiwan Buys into the American Dream

The truth is Taiwanese in general looks up to the U.S., sending many of their brightest talents there to study in Ivy-league Colleges. Taiwan has American schools and among young Asians, Taiwanese citizens are some of the most progressive global citizens in terms of their curiosity (they are quite small) and their ability to adapt to other cultures.

Close Ties

The new Taiwanese president Tsi, is said to be pro-independence. While Trump's apparently warm ties with Russia are well documented, the same cannot be said to his relationship with China. Meanwhile, Taiwan and America share according to Trump, "close economic, political, and security ties."

Pro-Independence Party Gained Power

When Tsai Ing-wen was elected at the start of 2016 (their first Female President), handing her pro-independence party its first majority in the national legislature and rejecting the China-friendly party that had led the self-governing island for the past eight years, China responded with this statement by the Chinese Cabinet body in charge of handling Taiwan affairs had this to say:

Our will is as strong as a rock, our attitude unswerving on the principal matter of safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

China's inflexibility on human rights and foreign policies is well known, however China also accounts for 16% of the global GDP and have considerable sway over the global economy moving forwards.

It's quite hard to tell if this was an intentional slight by Trump against China, or simply a matter of diplomatic naivete or something else entirely. Mainstream media (MSM) in the U.S. have headlines such as Trump risks showdown with China after call with Taiwan.

China's Maturity is being Tested

This tests China's position globally, making a new kind of "cold war" a distinct possibility. In an age of protectionism and increased anti-global sentiment by an aging population, misunderstanding across cultures still sometimes occur.

However, in the continuing tone of China towards Taiwan and general ineptness of Chinese diplomacy, China's foreign minister called this event:

"Just a small trick by Taiwan" 

Trump's record of rather impulsive statements on China is well documented.

“They are using our country as a piggy bank to rebuild China.”

With North Korea conducting Nuclear tests, Trump only wishes China would clean up its own area of the world as tensions might escalate there as a pressure point for the U.S.'s military defense.

Strong Leaders for Uncertain Times

In a world of leaders who have more power than ever, from Putin to Xi Jinping to the likely situation with Trump, it could actually have some volatile consequences for foreign policy, the rise of protectionism, nationalistic competition and global affairs.

Trump Sends Clear Backhanded Message to Beijing

However in this case, Alex Huang, a spokesman for Tsai, said: "Of course both sides agreed ahead of time before making contact."

That is, Trump took it upon himself to send a message to Beijing, while fully acknowledging Taiwan. Taiwan's presidential office said the two leaders touched on strengthening bilateral interactions and establishing closer cooperation.

Will Taiwan Push its Cards for Independence?

Washington is Taiwan's most important ally, sole arms supplier and most likely champion for its bid to gain independence. This (Taiwan's illegitimacy) is an extremely painful and patriotic issue for the Taiwanese people.

Whether this is an acknowledgement of formal ties, or simply a conversation in the spotlight, China flexing its muscles in the South China Sea, worries some.

What Will 2017 Hold for Beijing and Washington Axis of Diplomacy?

The election of Tsai already displeased Beijing, but talking with Trump is another affront.

The White House has responded to the call by saying the "longstanding policy" on China and Taiwan has not changed. However, since Trump does not take the Presidency until Jan 20, China may not be as concerned as some believe.

What do you think of Donald Trump, the President-elect speaking with Taiwan's President? Should America help Taiwan gain official independence?

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