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Reader question: Please explain “take off the gloves” in this sentence: China has shown restraint in the face of provocations by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump over Taiwan, but if he continues after assuming office Beijing will “take off the gloves”. My comments: It means Beijing will begin to take Donald Trump seriously if he continues with provocations over Taiwan. In the news, the American President-elect told Wall Street Journal (January 13, 2017) that the “One China” policy was up for negotiation. Previously, he had taken a congratulatory telephone call from Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, violating Sino-American protocol. At issue is the fact there is only one China and that Taiwan is part of China. This is not something to be negotiated on, not something negotiable at all. Trump, the businessman that he is, obviously thinks there’s another deal to make here – if China allows him to build one of those Trump hotels or golf courses, for example, then he will recognize America’s long-time One-China policy. He will deny it if he cannot make any gains from the issue personally. Or something like that. Anyways, China will have to begin to view Trump as a serious threat and act accordingly if Trump keeps at it after he takes office. Then China will “take off the gloves” and fight Trump for real – inflicting real hurt and pain if necessary. | 
