‘One China’ policy climbdown in call to Xi

DONALD TRUMP has backed down over his confrontational stance towards Beijing, committing to the “One China” policy in his first phone call with Xi Jinping, the Chinese president.

In a move that is certain to ease tensions between the United States and China, Mr Trump “agreed, at the request of President Xi, to honour our One China policy”, the White House said in a statement.

The “lengthy telephone conversation” on Thursday evening was “extremely cordial” and the two leaders “extended invitations to meet in their respective countries”, the statement added.

Mr Trump has also toned down his pro-Israel rhetoric ahead of prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s trip to the White House on Feb 15.

In an interview with an Israeli newspaper, Mr Trump called on “Israel to be reasonable with respect to peace”, spelling out his administration’s stance that new settlements on Palestinian land may not be helpful.

During his election campaign, Mr Trump signalled his presidency would be a boon for Israel and tough on Pales- tinians. He talked of moving the US embassy to Jerusalem, naming an ambassador who backs Israel’s settlement programme and exerting no pressure on Israel for peace talks.

In December, he angered Beijing by accepting a congratulatory call from the president of Taiwan, breaking decades of diplomatic protocol.

He has since suggested that there could be a renegotiation of the One China policy, in which the US recognises Beijing’s rule over the island. Beijing views Taiwan as a breakaway province, which will be reunited with the mainland, by force if necessary.