President-elect Trump indicated Friday that his administration would take things slow when it comes to major foreign policy shifts but would likely be moving away from some of America’s longstanding positions on Russia and China.
Once sworn in, Trump would leave the current sanctions against Russia in place “at least for a period of time” and he would not quickly move to change America’s policy with regard to Taiwan and China.
Yet he threatens to change both the United States’ somewhat hostile posture toward Russia and its more friendly approach toward China.
Of the Russian government, Trump said, “I understand that they would like to meet, and that’s absolutely fine with me.”
He also posed the rhetorical question, “If you get along and if Russia is really helping us, why would anybody have sanctions if somebody’s doing some really great things?”
Of the Chinese government, Trump told the Wall Street Journal, “Everything is under negotiation including One China,” the policy that recognizes China as a state and rival Taiwan in a separate quasi-but-not-quite state category.
Trump had threatened to brand the Chinese as currency manipulators on day one in office but now pledges to hold off for a bit while the two governments sort things out.
“Certainly they are manipulators” but “I would talk to them first,” Trump pledged, displaying a holiday greeting card from Chinese leader Xi Jinping proudly.
“I have a beautiful card from the chairman!” Trump said.
