Protocol in Asia? Trump to use ‘whatever language he wants’
WASHINGTON — When in Asia, make sure handshakes aren’t too long — or short. Don’t bobble names or titles. Stifle the critical tweets. Don’t question the food.
These points of etiquette and protocol are part of the region’s core culture known as “face” — keeping yours, helping others save theirs. In many ways, they are the opposite of President Donald Trump’s impulsive, in-your-face style. And he’s not expected to soften it even in the shadow of North Korea, with whom he’s rattled sabers about “fire and fury” and nuclear war.
“The president will use whatever language he wants to use,” National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster told reporters Thursday, on the eve of Trump’s 12-day tour through South Korea, China, Vietnam and the Philippines. “I don’t think the president really modulates his language. Have you noticed?”
So much for the prospects of Trump and the finer points of protocol during the trip, on which he’ll be toting a hefty economic and national security agenda. But he’ll have a squad of White House and State Department officials guiding the way on other, more logistical matters in the ancient discipline of choreographing everything — from how a room is set up to who stands where — and avoiding embarrassments.