Trump tells WSJ Editorial Board that he won't need to use military force to protect Taiwan because President Xi "knows I’m crazy”

[essentialsaltes]

Trump says China respects him because Xi knows he is 'crazy'​

He told the Wall Street Journal’s editorial board he would not have to use military force to prevent a blockade of Taiwan, because President Xi “respects me and he knows I’m [expletive] crazy”.

“I had a very strong relationship with him,” Trump said of President Xi. “He was actually a really good, I don’t want to say friend - I don’t want to act foolish, ‘he was my friend’ - but I got along with him great.”

The former president also cast his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin in a positive light, saying: “I got along with him great.”

But Trump - who has previously been criticised for praising the Russian leader - said he had threatened him not to invade Ukraine.

“I said, ‘You’re going to be hit so hard, and I’m going to take those [expletive] domes right off your head.’ Because, you know, he lives under the domes.”

 

[DaisyDay]

Sure, Xi has mad respect for poor, old Donald. Besides, he has already said that he intends to withdraw troops from overseas to sic on his "enemies from within", i.e. the non-Maga American citizens as well as border-crossers.

 

[Laodicean60]

Just like Democrats were and are afraid of Trump I'm sure it's true that Russia and China were fearful and thus nothing happened during Trump's administration.

 

[Richard T]

One term used for this is "strategic ambiguity." "This strategy involves keeping an adversary uncertain about a country's military capabilities, intentions, and the circumstances under which it would respond to aggression. By maintaining unpredictability in military responses, a leader or nation aims to deter potential aggressors who may fear that they cannot reliably assess the consequences of their actions." Unlike others who might project this unpredictability on purpose, with Trump it really is not likely known in advance what he would do. Trump is not guided by theory and might choose to ignore advisors.

 

[durangodawood]

Just like Democrats were and are afraid of Trump I'm sure it's true that Russia and China were fearful and thus nothing happened during Trump's administration.

Putin was watching respect for NATO dwindle, and admiration for Russia-allied dictatorships rise under Trump. Of course he wouldnt invade right then and threaten all that progress.