Posted on 12/03/2016 5:10:54 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
By now you know that President Elect Trump took a call from the President of Taiwan and simultaneously lit on fire the underpants of the mainstream media and maybe the leadership of China too.
Apparently taking a phone call from the president of Taiwan is a major diplomatic change from the so-called “One China Policy” that imagines Taiwan as a rogue province of China, not its own country. Reports are saying this call was planned, not a mistake on the Trump team’s side.
Was this a mistake by Trump?
If you look at this call through the filter of normal politics it is clearly a mistake. It provokes the Chinese leadership and gains nothing obvious in return. The media is reporting this event as exactly the sort of thing that leads to nuclear annihilation. This is the same mainstream media that got everything wrong about Trump for the past year.
But if you look at this situation through the filter of a Master Persuader, it makes perfect sense. Trump is “setting the table” for future negotiations with China. He just subtracted something from China’s brand that they value, and later he will negotiate with them to maybe give it back in some fashion. Probably in return for some trade concessions.
But what about the risk? Does it ever make sense to poke a nuclear power? In this case, probably yes. As I have said in this blog before, China’s leadership is both mature and competent. Many of them have engineering degrees. They understand what Trump is doing, and none of it is a path to war because neither side has any interest in war. None. Zero.
I can imagine some scenarios in which China and the U.S. might dangerously escalate toward war, but one friendly call to a major trading partner isn’t one of the scenarios.
But why take that call now? Shouldn’t Trump have cleared this with Obama, or waited until he was President?
No. Because the Obama administration would have advised him not to do it. And waiting until January is the way old politics is done. This sort of bold, rapid action is evidently what Trump wants you to think is his brand as president. The Taiwan call is consistent with the New CEO Play that I described in this post. He’s setting the tone as bold, effective, and not waiting for red tape to slow him down.
Don’t worry about China going to war over a phone call. They understand Trump, in part because they read my blog too. And look at the brilliance of China’s diplomatic response. Their Foreign Minister labelled the phone call, "a shenanigan by the Taiwan side.“ That is exquisite diplomatic framing, Master Persuader-style. You can see why China and Trump respect each other; they both earned it.
Mutual respect is a safe place to be. Relax. Adults are in charge.
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You might like reading my book because I won’t take a call from the President of Taiwan no matter how often she asks.
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The very first one, I think, was the president of Hungary.
Good post.
This framework is decades obsolete.
Trump was just letting China know there’s a new U.S. Sheriff in town ...
Some people. The majority of the populace now consider themselves culturally and mentally (as well as politically) distinct from China and want to renounce their claims on the mainland
[How many other foreign nations have called to congratulate President-elect Trump????] Just a natural thing to do, when a friendly calls to congratulate the new President.
This article says “Trump took a call from Taiwan, the MSM says that Trump MADE the call..a big difference. Don’t facts and truth matter any more?
He’s written more than one, and my guess is that they are being very closely studied!
Sounds like what my mind has been telling me so I absolutely agree with the article. I also think Trump is putting China on notice that he won’t bow to them or let them dictate to him.
...and that is VERY important to "the deal". Also this is a good way to filter fake news isn't it?
This is so weird! I just automatically believe anything Scott Adams tells me! /s
Does my heart good, though, to see liberals' panties all in a wad.
WOW...Trump picks Mrs. Mitch McConnel for DOL and he immediately gets call from Pres. of Taiwan? Who knew?
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