Trump reignites US-China tension by questioning commitment to One China policy

The entire issue that surrounded the controversial phone call between president-elect Donald J. Trump and Taiwan president Tsai Ing-wen had somewhat subsided in past couple of days, but it seems like it may once again be reignited and placed in the limelight thanks to the Trump's latest statements. Trump recently appeared in an interview with Fox News over the weekend where he not only defended his conversation with the Taiwanese president, but also outright questioned the validity of the One China policy and how it affects the United States today.

The diplomatic understanding, which has been around for more than 44 years, has been the hallmark of the country's relationship with China. Almost all of the past presidents, with the exception of President Richard M. Nixon, have stayed away from creating any controversy regarding the agreement to avoid any problems with the country's biggest rival. Like Nixon, Trump is now openly questioning the agreement stating that the country is in no way bound to follow China's policies unless there is something to gain.

"I don't know why we have to be bound by a One China policy unless we make a deal with China having to do with other things, including trade." Trump said.

"I mean, look, we're being hurt very badly by China with devaluation; with taxing us heavy at the borders when we don't tax them; with building a massive fortress in the middle of the South China Sea, which they shouldn't be doing; and, frankly, with not helping us at all with North Korea." Trump continued.

Beijing has yet to issue a response to Trump's statements, but reports are speculating that their reaction may not be that favorable. From the looks of it, Trump likely wants to use the One China Policy as a bargaining chip to divert China's recent behavior. Reports have also revealed that there may be a backlash by Beijing should the U.S. continue to undermine its longstanding position on its territories in Asia.