this is pushback to china. We are already seeing some hints of aggression from them. Whether its challenging trump on trade or the climate deal. They have every right to as well since they view trump as the bigger threat between clinton and trump.
Every chinese scenario for any conflict with the USA whether economic military or otherwise has russia coming down on their side. It is only with Trump where russia suddenly becomes a variable where it could be neutral or god forbid come down on the american side.
This tweet accomplishes several things.
1. Reminds our allies in the region that yes we do stand with them. Notice how Trump highlighted we sell lots of arms to taiwan
2. Reminds China that Trump is a counter-puncher but when he counterpunches he does so hard. More importantly he does so in ways you will not predict. I guarantee you no one in china predicted this.
This is how China will react: Since they were only testing Trump they will downplay this and move on. They will also be more cautious wit Trump in the future.
Remember Trump views the world thru economic lens. China is the real threat while russia barely registers in the radar.
fyi notice how libs were saying a week ago that we abandoned the pacific because we did not support TPP yet are now mad at this