President Trump

[SezMe]

I'm not in favor of ANY special deals since it gets us bidding against ourselves and ends up just helping the corporations at the expense of the rest of us. But that doesn't mean I don't think some new industries or technologies shouldn't sometimes be helped such as alternative energy.

That phrase is crucial. Investing as acbytesla mentions is a valid governmental strategy. Giving favors to one single company is a totally different kettle of fish.

 

[SezMe]

Not condoning it, but is it really a policy that a private US citizen cannot speak directly with the president of Taiwan?

I know that when I want to talk to the president of Taiwan I just get on the blower and we have a nice chat.

I know you are trying to be reasonable here, Eddie, but labeling Trump a "private US citizen" is like calling the H-bomb an "explosive device".

 

[Stacko]

Trump breaks US policy stance with direct Taiwan call

US President-elect Donald Trump has spoken directly with the president of Taiwan - breaking with US policy set in 1979 when formal relations were cut.

Mr Trump's transition team said he and Tsai Ing-wen noted "close economic, political, and security ties" between the US and Taiwan in a phone call.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-38191711

I'm sure it's just a coincidence that he's looking to expanding his business to Taiwan.

The mayor of Taoyuan confirmed rumors on Wednesday that US president-elect Donald Trump was considering constructing a series of luxury hotels and resorts in the northwest Taiwanese city.

A representative from the Trump Organization paid a visit to Taoyuan in September, expressing interest in the city's Aerotropolis, a large-scale urban development project aimed at capitalizing on Taoyuan's status as a transport hub for East Asia, Taiwan News reports.With the review process for the Aerotropolis still underway, Taoyuan's mayor referred to the subject of the meeting as mere investment speculation. Other reports indicate that Eric Trump, the president-elect's second son and executive vice president of the Trump Organization, will be coming to Taoyuan later this year to discuss the potential business opportunity.

It's probably also a coincidence that according to this report, transition aide and lobbyist for Taiwan, Stephen Yates, is in Taiwan.

In related news, Stephen Yates, who was deputy security advisor to former US vice president Dick Cheney, is in Taiwan.

He is scheduled to meet with Tsai, Minister of Foreign Affairs David Lee (李大維) and National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) before returning to the US tomorrow.

Yates was in charge of drafting this year’s Republican Party platform and is good friends with Reince Priebus, who was recently appointed Trump’s White House chief of staff.

Washington sources said that Yates is to be appointed to a position in the White House after Trump’s inauguration.

 

[newyorkguy]

Some of the groups that lobby for getting special interests out of government, reducing their influence, say that during the campaign Trump made the right noises but that's easy. Once elected the special interests and lobbyists come out of the woodwork and exert immense pressure to influence the incoming president. That there is always a battle going on behind-the-scenes. That based on appointments the Trump transition team is making it appears the lobbyists have already won.

So another campaign promise -- drain the swamp (Trump doesn't spout that catch phrase much lately, does he?) -- bites the dust. Fasten your seat belts folks, we're in for a very bumpy ride.

 

[Fast Eddie B]

Suppose you're in a business somewhat similar to Carrier...

All valid points.

I never meant to defend the action per sé. It has all sorts of negative implications and/or unintended consequences.

My point was more the apparent knee-jerk dismissal of anything Trump does or proposes. It just seems familiar.

 

[Fast Eddie B]

I know that when I want to talk to the president of Taiwan I just get on the blower and we have a nice chat.

I know you are trying to be reasonable here, Eddie, but labeling Trump a "private US citizen" is like calling the H-bomb an "explosive device".

It IS pertinent that he is not yet President, so he's not really bound by policy set by others for presidential behavior.

But I found his "victory speech" appalling and distressing, and wading into U.S./China relations prematurely as potentially disastrous. A trade war, a Cold War or God forbid a real war with China are all too scary to play around with.

But, as usual, we need to see how this plays out. I was never optimistic about a Trump presidency, and whatever glimmer of hope I had post-election is being doused pretty quickly.

 

[Garrison]

No, not at all. However, the consideration is this is the President Elect not just Joe Blow speaking to someone who is not a representative of the Chinese government. The People's Republic of China considers Taiwan to be a rogue breakaway province. The US has supported a 1 China policy in the past yet has supplied arms to Taiwan. This is a sticky situation.

Especially as no one in Trump's team seem to grasp why it's a problem and now of course China has formally protested.

 

[Spindrift]

It IS pertinent that he is not yet President, so he's not really bound by policy set by others for presidential behavior.

He is the President-elect and just because he hasn't been sworn in doesn't mean he shouldn't be acting like a President. Or at least a person who understand the responsibilities of what it means to be President.

The rest of the world is not going to excuse his behavior just because he is still technically a private citizen. His actions since being elected carry the weight of the President whether he wants it that way or not.

 

[Stacko]

This latest incident did draw attention away from him praising a strong man for the way he has drug addicts executed in his country and inviting him to visit.

 

[sunmaster14]

Trump's Taiwan "faux-pas" is a good thing. China, or "'gina" as Trump says, is just going to have to get used to the new reality. Everybody knows that Trump doesn't believe in a one 'gina policy. He'll talk to any 'gina he feels like. And when you're President, they'll let you do it too.

 

[Spindrift]

Trump's Taiwan "faux-pas" is a good thing. China, or "'gina" as Trump says, is just going to have to get used to the new reality. Everybody knows that Trump doesn't believe in a one 'gina policy. He'll talk to any 'gina he feels like. And when you're President, they'll let you do it too.

We'll see. I've thought the US should be tougher on China, but the Chinese simply do not react they way we think should. If they shut off trade to the US tomorrow, the US and probably the world plummets into a massive depression so you may think the Chinese might not do that. You'd be wrong.

 

[NoahFence]

Anyone else think that Trump just got played by the president of Taiwan?

She's all drunk and ****, saying "oh! I know! I'll call Trump. Watch this!"

Knowing full well that he's too ignorant to know anything about policy.

 

[NoahFence]

My point was more the apparent knee-jerk dismissal of anything Trump does or proposes. It just seems familiar.

It only seems to be knee-jerk because it takes such a short amount of time to see what a mess he's made on a given topic.

 

[Andy_Ross]

We'll see. I've thought the US should be tougher on China, but the Chinese simply do not react they way we think should. If they shut off trade to the US tomorrow, the US and probably the world plummets into a massive depression so you may think the Chinese might not do that. You'd be wrong.

Because that wouldn't hurt China just as much?

 

[Andy_Ross]

Anyone else think that Trump just got played by the president of Taiwan?

She's all drunk and ****, saying "oh! I know! I'll call Trump. Watch this!"

Knowing full well that he's too ignorant to know anything about policy.

Apart from the drunk part I think that'sexactly whst hspoened. She knows he's to vain and self important to turn down the call.

 

[Stacko]

Taiwanese media is reporting that the call was organized by Donald's staff.

Trump reportedly agreed to the call, which was arranged by Taiwan-friendly members of his campaign staff after his aides briefed him on issues regarding Taiwan and the situation in the Taiwan Strait, sources said.

 

[turingtest]

Suppose you're in a business somewhat similar to Carrier. First you see a big threat to Carrier from Trump on the campaign trail and you think "He's gonna be tough" then post-election you see Trump offer Carrier a great deal to keep some jobs for a short period. You'd think two things immediately. One, hey, I'm going to threaten to move to Mexico too. And, two, that Trump doesn't just grab pussy, he is one.

Or worse, imagine you are a direct competitor of Carrier. If it was me I'd be on the phone to my lobbyist and congresscritters at 8 am the next morning.

And finally, who gets to fill in the hole that Carrier's tax break created. Yep, you guessed it buddy: you and I.

Intercourse Trump.

This is essentially what Sarah Palin (of all people) is saying (as of now, at least).

Cajole only chosen ones on Main St or Wall St and watch lines stretch from Washington to Alaska full of businesses threatening to bail unless taxpayers pony up. The lines strangle competition and really, really, dispiritingly screw with workers’ lives. It’s beyond unacceptable, so let’s anticipate equal incentivizes and positive reform all across the field – to make the economy great again.

(Minus your last line, of course)

 

[acbytesla]

Trump's Taiwan "faux-pas" is a good thing. China, or "'gina" as Trump says, is just going to have to get used to the new reality. Everybody knows that Trump doesn't believe in a one 'gina policy. He'll talk to any 'gina he feels like. And when you're President, they'll let you do it too.

Damn, that was funny Sunmaster. I didn't think you had it in you.

I'm not sure I agree with Trump calling Taiwan or not. There's a reasonable argument either way. Basically, Trump is saying he'll talk to whomever he pleases and China will have to get use to it. For all the screaming China might do, is it really likely China will do anything about it? I don't actually think so. A lot of this is just posturing.Sometimes there is a benefit of people thinking you are crazy.

 

[Garrison]

Trump's Taiwan "faux-pas" is a good thing. China, or "'gina" as Trump says, is just going to have to get used to the new reality. Everybody knows that Trump doesn't believe in a one 'gina policy. He'll talk to any 'gina he feels like. And when you're President, they'll let you do it too.

You know with your past posting history on the subject of Trump I'm left hoping this is your idea of humour.

 

[Mader Levap]

You know with your past posting history on the subject of Trump I'm left hoping this is your idea of humour.

Just imagine sunmaster14's tirade if FLOTUS Hillary did something like direct talk with Taiwan.