US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping spoke on the phone for the first time since the New York tycoon took office in the White House. And the outcome of the interview turned out to be a twist.
Trump reversed with Beijing, agreeing to honor the traditional American political line which for decades has recognized "one China". In the past, the US president has flirted with rebellious Taiwan, arguing that he does not take orders from Beijing and that he does not feel bound by a one-China policy until Beijing makes trade concessions.
"The president", says a statement, has adhered to "President Xi's request to keep faith with our One China policy", i.e. the agreement dating back to 1992 in which both Beijing and Taiwan recognize precisely that China is a alone, diplomatically leaving each party to interpret the agreement as they see fit: a ploy that allowed the cousins to strengthen economic ties while leaving political and territorial ones open.
"The phone call was extremely cordial" continues the White House statement, also specifying that the two leaders have extended an invitation to "meet in their respective countries".
Meanwhile, the San Francisco appeals court has denied the reinstatement of US President Donald Trump's ban on the entry of refugees and citizens from seven Islamic countries, thus confirming the decision of a federal judge in Seattle.
According to the appeal judges, the US administration has not brought any evidence that someone from the seven countries in question committed a terrorist attack in the US and has not explained the urgency of the measure.
According to the panel, the interest of national security and the ability of the president to implement his policies were at stake on the one hand, and the right to travel freely, to avoid separation of families and discrimination on the other: the latter prevailed .
“See you in the Supreme Court: The security of the nation is at stake,” Trump tweeted.
SEE YOU IN COURT, THE SECURITY OF OUR NATION IS AT STAKE!
- Donald J. Trump (@ realDonaldTrump) 9 February 2017
The Supreme Court remains in a potential deadlock (4 to 4) awaiting confirmation by the Senate of Neil Gorsuch, the new judge appointed by Trump. In the event of a tied vote, today's decision would remain in force and therefore the call would remain suspended.
