Trump just tweeted about his Taiwan screw up

[DemocratSinceBirth]

Donald J. TrumpVerified account
‏@realDonaldTrump
Interesting how the U.S. sells Taiwan billions of dollars of military equipment but I should not accept a congratulatory call.

[juxtaposed]

1. proof that the republican brain exists

?who me? what I say?

[Zo Zig]

2. Dumbass

It's referred to as "state-craft".

[Afromania]

3. ..

This guy

[Travis_0004]

4. It does seem a bit odd

Obama selling 200 Javelin missiles is ok, but a phone call is bad?

[0rganism]

6. the missiles are a nuisance, but the phone call is an insult

i don't get the vibe that China sees Taiwan as much of a military threat
China does have an image to uphold tho

[DemocratSinceBirth]

8. I am kind of sympathetic to Taiwan but the one China policy is there for a reason.

Ad hoc diplomacy. It would be akin to a foreign leader trying to directly do business with Puerto Rico or Guam.

[Travis_0004]

13. Then why are we selling them missiles, and blackhawk helicopters?

[DemocratSinceBirth]

17. Because we favor a peaceful reunification and don't want to leave them defenseless.

Also without a conventional deterrent Taiwan would be much more likely to go nuclear. Foreign policy isn't for dilettantes.

[still_one]

32. That is exactly right DSB. I wonder how many even know the history of China and Taiwan. Taiwan

also hasn't been a member of the UN since 1971

but none of that is even the point. There are certain protocols that are followed, especially with situations that are politically sensitive.

The one China policy is a touchy situation, and going outside of normal diplomatic protocol can force a situation we wouldn't want.

If we exercise too much "shoot by the hip policy" it could initiate the People's Republic of China to take over Taiwan. What would the U.S. do in that case? Would it declare war on China? Would it engage militarily with China?

These are events that are wise to avoid, and why our policy is to encourage a peaceful reunification

[TubbersUK]

24. The real comparison

is I suppose between the status quo (the US has been arming Taiwan at a certain level for many decades) and uncertainty/change.

It is difficult to exaggerate how significant - and how provocative - this action was. China considers Taiwan to be a rogue province and has declared that it would go as far as using military force to prevent Taiwanese independence. The US has for a generation danced a careful dance in support of Taiwan. It is the de facto guarantor of Taiwanese defence, but it does not recognise Taiwan as an independent state. No US leader has officially spoken with a Taiwanese president in decades.

Even more unsettling, it is impossible for observers to gauge what Trump's intent is, if any.

Were they studying another leader analysts could look to his or her political record or guiding world view. Trump has neither. They could seek to locate his actions in the broader outlook of his political party. Trump is an outsider.

http://www.smh.com.au/world/donald-trump-blunders-into-conflict-over-taiwan-knowing-little-and-caring-less-20161203-gt39j5.html

[Baitball Blogger]

5. We were selling Taiwan billions of dollars of military equipment?

Hope that wasn't classified info.

[StevieM]

9. It wasn't. But there are reasons why we sell them weapons but don't have official relations.

It has to do with the lack of diplomatic recognition, while still maintaining military and economic ties.

It is a delicate balancing act that Trump just unbalanced.

[Fast Walker 52]

35. exactly... and here we go, having to relearn all sorts of lessons we should have already known

:sigh:

[Nevernose]

7. Taiwan also produces our military's ammunition

They off shored that gig during the Bush years, which seems to be a strategically terrible idea, but the DoD hasn't asked me for my opinion yet.

[C_U_L8R]

10. Stupidest President-Elect Ever

4 more years of this shit. Ugh.

[Thor_MN]

25. I really didn't think this was what they meant when when they said

when I was young, that anyone could grow up to be President...

[elehhhhna]

30. No, that's still true, because this asshole has not grown up yet

[spanone]

11. it's all about him....fuck you trump.

[rurallib]

12. Donny just wants all the praise he can get no matter the price

He was just giving someone a chance to tell him how wonderful, handsome, and humble he is.

[procon]

14. He's a genius! And he don't need no stinkin' security briefings neither! nt

[NightWatcher]

15. 1st rule to get yourself out of a hole is to stop digging.

WWI was started by a lone assassination.

WWIII might be started by a tweet.

[dhill926]

16. we have a 12 year old for pres elect....

jesus christ....

[Farmgirl1961]

26. Christ...more like a 3-year old

[RAFisher]

18. Is he trying to piss off China? He doesn't understand that his acts have consequences.

He's probably watching CNN or Fox right now and saw someone criticizing him. So he just decided to defend himself from his critics. But he seems to have no idea that China most likely will react poorly to this.

[still_one]

33. If he does that enough China might just decide to take over Taiwan, instead of resolving

reunification through negotiations and peaceful means.

Do we really want to go to war with China over Taiwan? I don't think so

[Fast Walker 52]

36. and China has freaking nukes pointed at us

[still_one]

38. The inmates are in charge of the asylum

[DemocratSinceBirth]

40. Only 300,lol

[pbmus]

19. Interesting that you the Trumpster are the least qualified

Person to ever be POTUS

[Barack_America]

20. Gasoline to a fire. Awesome.

What an epic moron.

[librechik]

21. Interesting that you are so completely a buffoon, Frump!

how does that even happen?

[UTUSN]

22. Funny, right, *Bozo* - how things work?!1 /t

[a kennedy]

23. But his followers LOVE THAT HE'S not a political person......

and they're not informed enough to KNOW THAT HE'S A DUFUS !!!! I just DESPISE this orange peel......

[Renew Deal]

27. He has a point

But that's not the point. A state department official should be strapped to him. Isn't it illegal for him to conduct foreign policy until he's president?

[JI7]

28. fucking dumbass

[eleny]

29. and he's only getting started

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

31. Trump will never admit to making a mistake

He's like W in that way.

[Sorceress]

34. I actually side with Taiwan but that's irrelevant. There is a policy

which has been established and I don't care what they say, he didn't bother to let his aides brief him on the matter. Per usual, he knew better and now we have his second international incident before he is even sworn in. This man is going to make me one of those doomsday preppers.

[Fast Walker 52]

37. seriously... stock up on canned goods

I'm glad I have a nice basement.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

41. I actually side with Taiwan too.

But is it a principle worth starting WW lll over?

Until something better replaces it we are stuck with this nuanced and ambiguous policy.

I believe the goal is one China with two forms of government.

[lonestarnot]

39. Interesting how a loser is going to occupy the White House.