China will ‘take the gloves off’ over Taiwan

“Pursuing protectionism is like locking oneself in a dark room”.

As Donald Trump is sworn into office this week, among numerous possible disruptive initiatives his administration may launch is a trade war with China.

In his Wall Street Journal interview, Trump lashed out again at China over trade and currency issues.

In the course of the election campaign, Trump repeatedly threatened to brand China as a “currency manipulator” but told the newspaper that he would not do so immediately.

If China disagreed, there should be talks between Washington and Beijing, he suggested.

Similarly, the President has broad powers as Commander in Chief to direct the movement of USA troops and military assets as he sees fit.

“Not everything in the world can be bargained or traded off”, the spokeswoman said.

The proposed liberalizing measures unveiled by China’s State Council, or the Cabinet, late on Tuesday are testament to the scope of the restrictions placed on foreign businesses in the world’s second-largest economy.

The country, which is undergoing an economic slowdown, is expected to suffer some serious economic setbacks in 2017. Any presence in Taiwan would give US troops “greater flexibility for rapid deployment throughout the region should the need arise”, Bolton wrote.

China’s Foreign Ministry responded with a statement Sunday saying the “one China” policy was “non-negotiable”.

But his legitimacy at home depends in large measure on his ability to manage a slowdown in his country’s economy while continuing to assert Chinese territorial claims, despite USA opposition, scholars and diplomats say. Beijing has also started rattling its saber, sending military aircraft over a channel adjacent to Taiwan and sailing an aircraft carrier fleet into the Taiwan Strait last week. But China has often managed to block any discussion on the subject at ASEAN meetings.

“In the end it will be like lifting a rock to drop it on one’s own feet”, she said, without elaborating. The ongoing investigations will thwart Beijing’s efforts to increase exports even after the recent devaluation of the Yuan, which is aimed to assist exporters.

New Taipei also confirmed the event will be held in Tamsui but said it did not play a role in arranging for Beijing Week to be held in the city. The practice, now permitted under WTO rules, is commonplace among US allies. -China frictions would result in uncertainties thwarting growth in investments as businesses shy away from taking big risks.

All Taiwanese are welcome at the festival, where they can experience Beijing’s special culture, he said. Does this mean less strong-arming by China vis-a-vis countries that are not the US?

“This is a game of patience”, Liu said as both Taiwan and China are for now more focused on domestic issues. China considers self ruling Taiwan as a renegade province and hasn’t stood down on the possibility of using force to annex the island.

A Hong Kong fund manager in China stocks who asked not to be named said it was “superficially a move in the right direction”, but politics was playing a significant part, just days before U.S. President-elect Donald Trump enters the White House. After São Tomé and Príncipe switched its allegiance to Beijing last month, there are now only 21 nations that recognize Taiwan – mainly small Central American and Caribbean states.