Donald Trump reaffirms ‘One-China’ stance in 1st call with Xi Jinping

Hong Kong: Donald Trump reaffirmed the US’s long-standing support for the ‘One-China’ policy in his first phone call as president with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.

“The two leaders discussed numerous topics and President Trump agreed, at the request of President Xi, to honour our ‘One-China’ policy,” the White House said in a statement on Thursday. “They also extended invitations to meet in their respective countries. President Trump and President Xi look forward to further talks with very successful outcomes.”

Xi said it was necessary for both sides to increase cooperation, state-run China Central Television said. The Chinese president said his country was willing to boost ties with the US on trade, investment, technology, energy and infrastructure. Xi also said the two countries should enhance communication in international and regional military affairs.

“Facing an extremely complicated global situation and rising challenges, there’s a greater need for continuing to enhance cooperation between China and the US,” Xi said, according to CCTV.

The One-China assurance may ease a key source of diplomatic tension between the world’s two largest economies that emerged after Trump spoke by phone with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen and subsequently questioned the policy. Trump has also threatened higher tariffs on Chinese products, raising the risk of a trade war that could hurt global growth.

The One-China policy acknowledges that China and Taiwan are part of the same country. China, which considers the island part of its territory, has made recognition of the policy the foundation for diplomatic ties with the US and all other countries.

“It is a first step to settle the uncertainties regarding the US and China, but there are other issues out there,” said Mark Michelson, chairman of the Asia CEO Forum in Hong Kong, a business group of about 300 international chief executive officers. “What about trade? Will there be sanctions? Will China be called a currency manipulator? What about the South China Sea?”

Trump faces pressure to meet campaign pledges to get tough on China, which he accuses of draining America of manufacturing jobs. The billionaire real estate developer has promised to label China a currency manipulator, bring trade complaints against the nation and impose tariffs if it doesn’t halt what he sees as unfair trading practices.

‘Extremely cordial’

While the White House statement described the call as “lengthy” and “extremely cordial,” it provided no further details on what they discussed. Representatives from both sides would meet later to discuss and negotiate on “various issues of mutual interest,” it said.

The conversation with Xi comes almost three weeks into Trump’s presidency and follows post-inaugural phone calls and meetings with several leaders, including Vladimir Putin of Russia and Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey. It comes one day after Trump sent a note to Xi, saying he was seeking smoother ties. He thanked Xi for a congratulatory letter and wished China a happy Year of the Rooster.

China has sought to maintain “strategic composure” in its response and avoid escalating tensions. Xi has reached out to Trump three times since his election win, including two congratulatory messages. They had a phone conversation on 14 November in which Xi said cooperation was “the only correct choice” for ties.

“China’s pragmatic and restraint approach has worked,” said Jia Qingguo, dean of Peking University’s Department of Diplomacy, and a foreign affairs adviser to the government. “His reaffirmation on China’s bottom-line issue shows he’s still a person China can work with, after the bumpy beginning.” Bloomberg