Trump Declares Xi Jinping Ruler of Taiwanese Destiny
According to a recent New York Times video, former President Trump declared, concerning Taiwan, that 'it’s up to' Xi Jinping what China does. This remarkably concise statement effectively dissolves decades of US policy and robust defense commitments to a democratic ally. While the media reports this as just another Trumpism, it conveniently sidesteps the deep historical context of US-Taiwan
relations under the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979, which mandates that the US consider any effort to determine Taiwan's future by non-peaceful means 'a threat to the peace and security of the Western Pacific area and of grave concern to the United States.' One might wonder if 'it's up to' is the new diplomatic doctrine, or perhaps a pre-emptive surrender. This aligns perfectly with a cynical trend
where US politicians, from both aisles, talk tough on international stages but ultimately enable the unchecked consolidation of power by foreign leaders, often after securing lucrative financial deals or political favors. It's a convenient form of selective interventionism, where 'threats' are only 'real' when they align with narrow, often financial, interests, overlooking consistent human rights
abuses or territorial claims that don't pay off.