Taiwan: Trump Prods China with Offer of Direct Taipei Talks The recent statement from President Donald Trump that he will engage in direct talks with Taiwanese President Lai Ching te over a proposed $14 billion arms deal has sent shockwaves through the diplomatic community.
At first glance, this appears to be just another provocative move from the mercurial US president. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that there is more at play here than meets the eye.
Trump's offer flies in the face of decades of established protocol, which has prohibited direct presidential communications with Taiwanese leaders since 1979 as part of the "One China" policy.