Trump is doubling-down on Taiwan on Twitter, sounding like a internet troll who just took his first class in international politics, while the Chinese FM calls it a "cheap shot" by Taiwan to manipulate Trump into blundering (sounds like they're implying they know Trump is an ignoramus, and implying Taiwan was mean to Trump by baiting him into this and going over his head). Trump is already a laughing stock. At least it's better than China doing something rash in response.
The 'elites' have been calling Trump a laughing stock since his escalator ride to destiny.
He has since defeated the GOP establishment, the Dem establishment, the Bush machine, the Clinton machine, and the industrial media complex. One day they might learn to stop underestimating his as a bumbling buffoon. They think Trump is an ideologue, when the truth couldn't be any further.
Trump is a pragmatist of the highest order. If you want to understand him, you have to understand that he is first and foremost a businessman,
thinks like a businessman, and will use any means necessary to come out on top. He's not a politician and he doesn't care how the 'game' is supposed to be played.
Trump doesn't care about these social/political norms that all politicians are supposed to follow, where even the president has an expected part to play. Instead he sees a goal he wants to accomplish, and then does what is necessary to accomplish it. He doesn't maneuver the chess pieces; he flips the board off the table completely. And the 'elites' have no idea how to respond.
Take China for example. Trump wants to renegotiate trade deals with China. And as with any negotiation between two entities, you have to first establish 1) the tone of the negotiation and 2) the context of the deal.
If Trump was continuously amiable towards China, then the Chinese would push hard to get what they wanted, fully expecting the US President to rubber stamp their agendas (especially when American presidents/politicians idiotically announce that they are unwilling to risk damaging American/Chinese relations). The Chinese would expect that the US president would be unwilling to damage/risk trade with their largest trading partner, and would use this fact to their advantage, pushing through deals that they know most Presidents wouldn't refuse in fear of retaliation. By declaring that we are unwilling to walk away from any China trade deal, this immediately puts us at a disadvantage at the negotiating table.
With Trump though, that notion of inevitable acceptance to their preferred policies fly out the window. If Trump is willing to break a decades long tradition and make friendly relations with Taiwan, then he might be willing to cut off major trade with China, consequences be damned. This completely reverses the context of the negotiation. Now, China has much more to lose because the US might very well turn away from trade deals with Trump as president. Now, it's the
Chinese who have to be careful with damaging relations with the US for fear of massive tariffs on imported goods. Obama wouldn't take a risk like this. Romney wouldn't take a risk like this. But Trump might just be willing to do it. The Chinese just don't know, which puts them at a disadvantage.
It's the age old adage; "Keep your opponents guessing"
