Donald Trump considers lifting Russia sanctions and says he would work with Moscow if they help fight terrorism
Incoming US President said he only reluctantly accepted conclusion by the US intelligence community that Russia was behind election hacking last year
DONALD Trump has hinted that he may lift sanctions on Russia in the coming months if Moscow helps him in the fight against terrorism.
The diplomatic punishments were put in place by outgoing President Obama in retaliation to alleged cyberattacks carried out by the Russians to interfere with last autumn’s presidential election.
But, if Russia helps the US on key goals such as fighting violent extremists, Trump suggested he may scrap the punitive measures altogether.
He also said he was prepared to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin after taking office on January 20.
Trump, who sees an opportunity to cooperate with Moscow in fighting jihadist groups like Isis, has expressed admiration for Putin.
He also only reluctantly accepted the US intelligence community’s conclusion that Russian hackers acted on Putin's authority when they interfered with the US elections.
Turning to the longstanding US practice of not recognizing Taiwan diplomatically, Trump said: “Everything is under negotiation, including the ‘One China’ policy.”
Trump has already irked China by accepting a congratulatory phone call from Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-Wen after he won the election, upending decades of diplomatic precedent in which the White House has foregone direct communication with the island's leader.
He defended that move, saying: “We sold them $2 billion of military equipment last year. We can sell them $2 billion of the latest and greatest military equipment but we're not allowed to accept a phone call. First of all, it would have been very rude not to accept the phone call.”
Beijing considers the island to be a breakaway province that will eventually be brought back within its control, by force if necessary
Trump has threatened to get tough with what he sees as unfair Chinese trade practices, and suggested that the ‘One China’ policy could become a bargaining chip in other disputes.
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