Donald Trump backs 'One China' policy

US President Donald Trump agreed to honour the longstanding ‘One China’ policy during a phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping, taking steps to improve ties after angering Beijing by talking to the leader of Taiwan.

Trump further unnerved Beijing over the self-ruled island in December saying the United States did not necessarily have to stick to the policy, under which Washington acknowledges China’s position that Taiwan is part of ‘One China’. The two leaders had not spoken by telephone since Trump took office on January 20. 

A White House statement said Trump and Xi had a lengthy phone conversation on Thursday night, Washington time. It came hours before Trump is to play host to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the White House. “President Trump agreed, at the request of President Xi, to honour our ‘One China’ policy,” the statement said.

The statement marked a return to a more traditional US policy after Trump had told the Wall Street Journal last month that the ‘One China’ policy was up for negotiation.

The two sides also signalled that with the ‘One China’ issue resolved, they could have more normal relations. “Representatives of the United States and China will engage in discussions and negotiations on various issues of mutual interest,” the statement said.