Trump Risks Major Diplomatic Scandal With China Following Taiwan Phone Call

Ever since the US adopted a ‘One China’ policy after the 1972 Nixon-Mao meetings, followed by President Carter formally recognizing Beijing as the sole government of China in 1978 leading to the closure of the US embassy in Taipei one year later and cutting off relations with Taiwan, when it comes to US-China diplomacy Washington has maintained a steady posture when it comes to Taiwan: non-recognition.
That changed today, when as the Trump team reported, following nearly four decades of diplomatic non-contact, the president-elect held a phone conversation with the president of Taiwan, Tsai Ing-wen, who offered Trump her congratulations, and during which “they noted the close economic, political and security ties” that exist between Taiwan and the United States.

Oops.
Perhaps Trump was confused, and thought he was chatting with the president of the People’s Republic of China, also known as China, instead of the Republic of China, better known as Taiwan, but whatever the reason, Trump now risks a major diplomatic scandal with China – before he has even been inaugurated – as a result of his phone call with the president of Taiwan, which China regards as a renegade province. As the FT accurately notes, “although it is not clear if the Trump transition team intended the conversation to signal a broader change in US policy towards Taiwan, the call is likely to infuriate Beijing.“

This post was published at Zero Hedge on Dec 2, 2016.