President Donald Trump is capable of reversing crazy policies, as he did on China last week. Let’s hope it’s the start of a trend. (Alex Brandon | Associated Press)Enrique Lavin | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
President Trump, it turns out, is capable of acknowledging a mistake. Thank God. Let’s hope it becomes a habit.
This week he moved to repair the damage he did when he said the United States might abandon the One China policy, the core tenet of relations between the world’s two greatest powers.
That was a dangerous blunder. The One China policy has been in effect since President Nixon established relations with China in the early 1970s, as the Vietnam War was winding down.
It allows the United States and China to sidestep the most emotional flashpoint in their relations: America’s steadfast support for Taiwan, an island province of China that broke away when the communists took control of the mainland in 1949.
Under this policy, both sides agree there is only one China, while leaving open the question of which side has sovereignty. It is a diplomatic fudge that allows Taiwan to maintain rule over the island, with American military support, while giving the regime in Beijing hope that it can eventually bring Taiwan back. As part of the policy, the United States moved its embassy to mainland China.
For decades, this formula has preserved the peace, even as tensions have flared several times, with China firing missiles near Taiwan and the American Navy showing up in force to protect them. The worst of it came in March of 1996, when President Clinton ordered the aircraft carrier Nimitz and its battle group through the Taiwan Strait.
Shortly after his election, Trump blundered into this dangerous standoff, warning that he might abandon the policy unless China offered concessions on trade.
The reaction in Beijing was horror and disbelief. This is a core issue to them, a matter of national pride, and President Xi made it clear that he would not speak with Trump until he reversed himself. Trump did so on Thursday.
Consider it the Art of the Retreat. We saw it again when Trump tapped the brakes on his blind support for Israel’s expansion of Jewish settlements in the West Bank, which he now acknowledges creates an obstacle towards peace.
He may also back off plans to move the American embassy to Jerusalem, a move that would almost surely spark violence and reinforce fears that Trump is on an anti-Muslim crusade.
It seems that some adults in the room are tamping down Trump’s most dangerous instincts. Most observers see the hand of Secretary of Defense James Mattis and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.
Let’s hope they are just getting started.
More: Tom Moran columns
Tom Moran may be reached at tmoran@starledger.com or call (973) 836-4909. Follow him on Twitter @tomamoran. Find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook.
Pres. Trump flips, promises to adhere to ‘One China…
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