In 1972 President Richard Nixon went to China beginning what be a 7 year gradual shift in American foreign policy when under President Jimmy Carter the U.S. officially recognized the government in Beijing as being China's legitimate rulers. Along with that diplomatic thaw and the opening of an official embassy the American government had to sever diplomatic ties with Taiwan. America wasn't the only country that China placed this condition upon as Taiwan wasn't an independent country, but in their view a renegade province. Thus began a political fiction: No country would give offical status to the government on Taiwan even though it was a separate political entity. One that had ties to all the major economic, political and military powers but never publicly stating its independence.
This political fiction was instrumental in keeping that corner of world stable. Yes, there been have cross strait flair ups, diplomatically, but never an armed conflict. With the election of Donald Trump that could all change. He seems determined to punish China for all that ill's America. Has China manipulated its currency? Most certainly. But initiating a trade war the world's second largest economy isn't going to change the dynamic. It will however cause economic hardship for the very people Donald Trump purports to seek economic justice for. Here's the question: What leverage does Donald Trump hold which would cause the Chinese government to change its economic policies? None. China is one of the largest holders of U.S. debt and controls 90% of the rare earth metals needed to manufacture every electronic device in use today included Donald Trump's mobile phone.
There's a One China Policy for a reason as stated above. Yes, it's a political fiction but a necessary one. Without there would have been instability in a region that has little need for it.
Donald Trump, either doesn't care or simply refuses to understand this dynamic and believes that he can bully the the Chinese government into his world view. Unfortunately for him that's not going to happen.
This political fiction was instrumental in keeping that corner of world stable. Yes, there been have cross strait flair ups, diplomatically, but never an armed conflict. With the election of Donald Trump that could all change. He seems determined to punish China for all that ill's America. Has China manipulated its currency? Most certainly. But initiating a trade war the world's second largest economy isn't going to change the dynamic. It will however cause economic hardship for the very people Donald Trump purports to seek economic justice for. Here's the question: What leverage does Donald Trump hold which would cause the Chinese government to change its economic policies? None. China is one of the largest holders of U.S. debt and controls 90% of the rare earth metals needed to manufacture every electronic device in use today included Donald Trump's mobile phone.
There's a One China Policy for a reason as stated above. Yes, it's a political fiction but a necessary one. Without there would have been instability in a region that has little need for it.
Donald Trump, either doesn't care or simply refuses to understand this dynamic and believes that he can bully the the Chinese government into his world view. Unfortunately for him that's not going to happen.
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