Jon Huntsman Jr.: Trump's nontraditional thinking could signal a new approach to U.S.-China ... [View all]
Jon Huntsman Jr.: Trumps nontraditional thinking could signal a new approach to U.S.-China relations
Donald Trump's unconventional phone conversation with Taiwan's leader might signal a fresh approach to a "complex and sensitive" relationship, said former Utah Governor and U.S. Ambassador to China Jon Huntsman Jr.
Trump tweeted that the Friday call was made by Taiwan president Tsai Ing-wen and that it was "interesting" that he was criticized for taking it, given that the U.S. sells weapons to the self-governing island despite China's sovereignty claim.
Huntsman served an LDS mission in Taiwan and later worked there before serving as ambassador to China during the first term of President Barack Obama. He told
The Tribune on Saturday that Trump "provides an element of nontraditional thinking and action that may result in new ways of approaching the one-China framework."
Speaking earlier to Fox News
and
The New York Times, Huntsman characterized Tsai's call as "shrewd" and said it "shouldn't surprise anybody" that Trump answered it. Taiwan might prove a "useful leverage point" in dealings with China, Huntsman told
The Times.
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http://www.sltrib.com/news/4667017-155/jon-huntsman-jr-trumps-nontraditional-thinking