Taiwan’s Tsai Breaks Protocol, Welcomes Trump’s Call

Imagine this: the president of a country, officially recognised by just 14 UN members, picking up the phone to the leader of the free world. No, this isn’t a scene from a political drama, but reality. Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen made headlines when she publicly expressed her happiness to talk to U.S. President Donald Trump, a departure from diplomatic protocol.

Taiwan’s Diplomatic Tightrope

Malta, with its strategic location and history of navigating complex diplomatic waters, can understand Taiwan’s predicament. Taiwan, officially known as the Republic of China (ROC), has been in a diplomatic limbo since 1971 when the United Nations recognised the People’s Republic of China (PRC) as the sole representative of China. This left Taiwan with just a handful of allies, including Vatican City and a few Pacific and Caribbean nations.

Taiwan’s diplomatic challenge is compounded by the ‘One China’ policy, recognised by most countries, including Malta. This policy acknowledges the PRC as the sole legal government of China, and Taiwan as a breakaway province. However, Taiwan’s economic prowess and democratic values have made it a significant global player, despite its diplomatic isolation.

Trump’s Call: A breakthrough?

Enter Donald Trump. In a move that has through the diplomatic community, Trump took a call from Tsai Ing-wen on December 2, becoming the first U.S. president or president-elect to do so since 1979. Tsai, in a departure from diplomatic protocol, publicly acknowledged the call, tweeting, “Had a delightful conversation with @realDonaldTrump.”

Trump’s call has sparked speculation about a potential shift in U.S. policy towards Taiwan. The U.S. has long maintained a policy of ‘strategic ambiguity’ regarding Taiwan, neither confirming nor denying whether it would defend Taiwan if attacked by the PRC. Trump’s call has raised questions about whether this policy is about to change.

Malta’s Stance: Cautious Optimism

Malta, known for its neutrality and balanced approach to international relations, has maintained a cautious stance regarding the Trump-Tsai call. A spokesperson for the Maltese Foreign Ministry stated, “Malta’s position on the issue of Taiwan remains unchanged. We continue to support the ‘One China’ policy.” However, they also noted that Malta “welcomes any efforts aimed at maintaining peace and stability in the region.”

Locally, reactions have been mixed. While some see Trump’s call as a positive step towards recognising Taiwan’s sovereignty, others worry about the potential backlash from the PRC. “We should support Taiwan’s right to self-determination,” said Malta-based political analyst, Joseph Cuschieri. “But we must also be mindful of the economic implications. China is a significant trading partner for Malta.”

Indeed, the economic implications are significant. Taiwan is one of Malta’s top trading partners in Asia, with bilateral trade reaching €1.3 billion in 2019. Meanwhile, China is Malta’s largest trading partner in Asia, with bilateral trade exceeding €1.7 billion in the same year.

As Malta continues to navigate its own complex diplomatic scene, one thing is clear: the Trump-Tsai call has added a new layer of intrigue to the Taiwan-China saga. Whether it signals a major change in U.S. policy or is merely a diplomatic blunder remains to be seen. One thing is certain, though: the world’s eyes are on Taiwan, and the coming months will be crucial in shaping the island nation’s future.