Trump backs "one China" policy in call with China's Xi - FT

[webfact]

Trump backs "one China" policy in call with China's Xi - FT

By Ben Blanchard and Steve Holland

REUTERS

 

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a swearing-in ceremony for new Attorney General Jeff Sessions (R) at the White House in Washington, U.S., February 9, 2017. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

 

BEIJING/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump agreed to honour the longstanding "One China" policy during a phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping, taking steps to improve ties after angering Beijing by talking to the leader of Taiwan.

 

Trump further unnerved Beijing over the self-ruled island in December saying the United States did not necessarily have to stick to the policy, under which Washington acknowledges China's position that Taiwan is part of "One China".

 

The two leaders had not spoken by telephone since Trump took office on Jan. 20.

 

A White House statement said Trump and Xi had a lengthy phone conversation on Thursday night Washington time. It came hours before Trump is to play host to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the White House and later, at his Palm Beach, Florida, retreat.

 

"President Trump agreed, at the request of President Xi, to honor our 'One China' policy," the statement said.

 

The statement marked a return to a more traditional U.S. policy after Trump had told the Wall Street Journal last month that the "One China" policy was up for negotiation.

 

The two sides also signaled that with the "One China" issue resolved, they could have more normal relations.

 

"Representatives of the United States and China will engage in discussions and negotiations on various issues of mutual interest," the statement said.

 

In a separate statement read out on Chinese state television, Xi said China appreciated Trump's upholding of the "One China" policy.

 

"I believe that the United States and China are cooperative partners, and through joint efforts we can push bilateral relations to a historic new high," the statement cited Xi as saying.

 

The White House described the call as "extremely cordial" with both leaders expressing best wishes to their peoples.

 

"They also extended invitations to meet in their respective countries. President Trump and President Xi look forward to further talks with very successful outcomes," the statement said.

 

(Editing by Lincoln Feast)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2017-02-10

[scorecard]

 1. I wonder if someone got his attention for long enough (say 1 minute) to whisper in his ear - 'don't challenge China just yet'.

 

2. I wonder if he actually listened for the whole 1 minute.

 

3. I wonder if there's a world first here - trump trying to be logical and balanced. 

 

Or maybe no.

[Emster23]

Good for China not to take Trump's pronouncements too seriously. If there is a buck to be made, he will reverse his deeply held (for that moment) beliefs

[Baerboxer]

4 hours ago, scorecard said:

 1. I wonder if someone got his attention for long enough (say 1 minute) to whisper in his ear - 'don't challenge China just yet'.

 

2. I wonder if he actually listened for the whole 1 minute.

 

3. I wonder if there's a world first here - trump trying to be logical and balanced. 

 

Or maybe no.

 

Or maybe he just happens to be a very clever negotiator, stirring things up, making people he is willing to challenge the status quo and wants will want concessions to leave things as they are?

 

Time well tell.

 

One thing for sure, Hilary would have just been more of the previous 8 years with the exception of increased wealth creation for the Clinton family enterprises - yeah for free enterprise!

[ehs818]

So, the tough guy caves again! No surprise!

 

[dunroaming]

It is rumoured that Trump finished the phone call by asking if he could order a take-away for him and the missus.

 

Trump climbing down is a positive thing so lets be thankful for that at least.  Of course we have heard it all before and who knows what Trump will tweet about the call or China in the next few days.

[rijb]

36 minutes ago, dunroaming said:

It is rumoured that Trump finished the phone call by asking if he could order a take-away for him and the missus.

 

Trump climbing down is a positive thing so lets be thankful for that at least.  Of course we have heard it all before and who knows what Trump will tweet about the call or China in the next few days.

You think Trump is climbing down?  Don't put yourself in his shoes.  

[dunroaming]

3 minutes ago, rijb said:

You think Trump is climbing down?  Don't put yourself in his shoes.  

The last pair of shoes in the world I would want to be in would be Trumps shoes right now.

 

So on your planet Trump going from full on confrontational to "ooooh I love you really" is not a climb down.  Consistency is not something Trump manages to achieve as we keep seeing.

[JHolmesJr]

Sure, I believe in One China too….just like I believe in One Taiwan, One Thailand, One Myanmar etc.

 

 

[rijb]

9 minutes ago, dunroaming said:

The last pair of shoes in the world I would want to be in would be Trumps shoes right now.

 

So on your planet Trump going from full on confrontational to "ooooh I love you really" is not a climb down.  Consistency is not something Trump manages to achieve as we keep seeing.

Now you're putting yourself in my shoes.  Get your own!

[dunroaming]

45 minutes ago, rijb said:

Now you're putting yourself in my shoes.  Get your own!

That puts me in my place!

[copa8]

3 hours ago, JHolmesJr said:

Sure, I believe in One China too….just like I believe in One Taiwan, One Thailand, One Myanmar etc.

 

 

 On Ukraine?

[Grouse]

Chinese press portraying Trump as "Paper Tiger"!

 

So much for the great deal maker!

 

What he take into return???

[ilostmypassword]

6 hours ago, Baerboxer said:

 

Or maybe he just happens to be a very clever negotiator, stirring things up, making people he is willing to challenge the status quo and wants will want concessions to leave things as they are?

 

Time well tell.

 

One thing for sure, Hilary would have just been more of the previous 8 years with the exception of increased wealth creation for the Clinton family enterprises - yeah for free enterprise!

Another amazing case of doublethink. You actually accuse the Clintons of taking advantage of their position in the face of Trump's refusal to give up control of his business and his refusal to show his tax returns?  This is just plain bizarre.

[Rob13]

How much of Ivanka's  jewelry did China agree to buy to get Donald to back down?

[dunroaming]

1 hour ago, ilostmypassword said:

Another amazing case of doublethink. You actually accuse the Clintons of taking advantage of their position in the face of Trump's refusal to give up control of his business and his refusal to show his tax returns?  This is just plain bizarre.

When the Trumpsters can't find a way to defend their boy they always try to drag the Clintons into it.  It just shows desperation.

[Srikcir]

Trump's Art of a Deal - China   1

                                         Trump 0

[elgordo38]

Yes folks the noise and din of the election campaign are over. The fire and brimstone have been shouted from the roof tops. Now its back peddling time as usual. What you sees is whats you gets. History rehashed and served up cold. 

[pegman]

9 hours ago, dunroaming said:

The last pair of shoes in the world I would want to be in would be Trumps shoes right now.

 

So on your planet Trump going from full on confrontational to "ooooh I love you really" is not a climb down.  Consistency is not something Trump manages to achieve as we keep seeing.

"Sore Feet" Trump, who was so proud of going to military prep school, showed the world all so long ago at that recruitment office what he is made of. Xi was not about to take any guff from the pussy in the Oval Office. It will be painfull at first but in a few months the huffing and puffing will be over and hopefully  things go back to normal. Let's hope anyhow.