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Watching The Trump Storm From Across The Atlantic

Donald Trump speaking at Jan. 11 press conference in NYC
Donald Trump speaking at Jan. 11 press conference in NYC
Arnaud de la Grange

-OpEd-

PARIS — As far as beginnings go, this is a terrible start. As a matter of fact, it's going badly before it has even started. Though American politics has no shortage of scandals, this is still unprecedented. One week before his inauguration, President-elect Trump finds himself under devastating fire. Accused of mixing with a foreign power — its dodgy agents as well as its promiscuous women. Suspected of being potentially blackmailed by Moscow because of this compromising material. A new grenade thrown on the red carpet leading to the Oval Office.

The whole thing, so far, is very nebulous. Even a part of the American press, which can hardly be suspected of "Trumpism," is advising precaution. What lends these claims extra weight is the fact that the CIA and FBI deemed it necessary to warn both the outgoing president and the newly-elected one. That, and the fact that it comes on top of other allegations of Kremlin interference in American politics such as Russia hacking that, eventually, Trump himself has admitted.

Like at the end of an overcomplicated spy movie, we no longer understand what has happened. And seen from our side of the Atlantic, the conduct of U.S. intelligence services seems a little unusual. Shortly before the election, the FBI had already taken everybody by surprise by embarrassing Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton, before clearing her at the very last moment. That didn't help her campaign ... And now, they've proceeded to drop another political bomb, all the while admitting that none of it has been confirmed.

A couple of facts emerge nonetheless from this dizzying chaos. First, Trump will be taking the reins on bad terms with his own spies, which is unfortunate. Second, the reconciliation he's been seeking with Russia is becoming more complicated, and he runs the risk of being endlessly labeled as Russian President Vladimir Putin's lackey. Third, America won't come out of this sequence greater or stronger, once again.

We're still a long way away from an impeachment. But the Trump era is beginning in a veritable political storm, which prompts the question: How long can the solid American system resist all this thunder and lightning?

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Geopolitics

D.C. Or Beijing? Two High-Stakes Trips — And Taiwan's Divided Future On The Line

Two presidents of Taiwan, the current serving president, Tsai Ing-wen, and her predecessor, Ma Ying-jeou from the opposition Kuomintang party, are traveling in opposite directions these days. Taiwan must choose whom to follow.

Photo of Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen

Tsai Ing-wen, the President of Taiwan

Pierre Haski

-Analysis-

PARIS — Tsai Ing-wen, the President of Taiwan, is traveling to the United States today. Not on an official trip because Taiwan is not a state recognized by Washington, but in transit, en route to Central America, a strategy that allows her to pass through New York and California.

Ma Ying-jeou, a former president of Taiwan, arrived yesterday in Shanghai: he is making a 12-day visit at the invitation of the Chinese authorities at a time of high tension between China and the United States, particularly over the fate of Taiwan.

It would be difficult to make these two trips more contrasting, as both have the merit of summarizing at a glance the decisive political battle that is coming. Presidential and legislative elections will be held in January 2024 in Taiwan, which could well determine Beijing's attitude towards the island that China claims by all means, including force.

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