WASHINGTON – US president-elect Donald Trump’s traditional rival in print media, New York Times has accused him of disrupting diplomatic norms after he talked to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Taiwan’s president.
“President-elect Donald J Trump has broken with decades of diplomatic practice in freewheeling calls with foreign leaders,” the New York Times said.
The observation of top US daily came after Donald Trump talked to Taiwan’s president as Taiwan is dubbed, a rival of China.
What surprised the international media is the fact that Trump became the first president-elect or president after 1979 to have talked to Taiwan’s leader and that too in an informal manner.
Trump’s transition team said Tsai, who was elected Taiwan’s first female president in January, had congratulated the billionaire tycoon on his recent victory.
“During the discussion they noted the close economic, political, and security ties that exist between Taiwan and the United States,” a statement said. “President-elect Trump also congratulated President Tsai on becoming president of Taiwan earlier this year.”
China which considers Taiwan a breakaway province governed by Chinese rebels somewhat tried to downplay the telephonic conversation after terming it a trick by Taiwan.
Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi while talking to newsmen hoped that the conversation would not dent long-standing US-China ties.
What matters most is the overall optics implying that Trump considered Taiwan an independent state, contrary to the claims of China.
Trump lashed out at the critics after the call through Twitter.
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/804848711599882240
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/804863098138005504
On the other hand, Trump’s telephonic talk with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif also irked NYT as well as Pakistan’s nuclear-armed rival India.
The telephonic conversation that took place on Wednesday suggested that Donald Trump was not much frustrated with Pakistan as he termed the county ‘tremendous’.
‘Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, you have a very good reputation. You are a terrific guy. You are doing amazing work which is visible in every way. I am looking forward to seeing you soon,’ Trump said in telephonic conversation with PM Nawaz.
Soon after the transcript of Trump-Nawaz chat was revealed, India started mocking Pakistan and felt irritated as Trump expressed solidarity with Pakistan as opposed to India’s wishful thinking.
Donald Trump has also not been harsh on Phillippine’s head Duterte who has been accused of gross human rights violations.
Duterte also abused US president Barack Obama and so the ties between the two countries went into a mode of bad taste.
However, Trump invited Dutrete to meet him in an unprecedented gesture especially after former’s slur on Barack Obama.
The go-getter Donald Trump also invited UK Premier Theresa May in an entirely informal manner.
‘If you travel to the US you should let me know,’ Trump said to May.
Trump also praised Kazakhstan’s leader Nursultan Nazarbayev for “fantastic success” vindicating that the TRUMP’s US would e ready to get along with him.
The scandal-tainted next US head also faced criticism when he invited his Daughter Ivanka during a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe instead of officials from state department.
