Trump’s call with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen represented a breach of United States diplomatic precedent, since the USA recognizes Taiwan as part of China.
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To add insult to injury Mr Trump then tweeted: “The President of Taiwan CALLED ME today to wish me congratulations on winning the Presidency”.
That call broke nearly four decades protocol in the sensitive U.S. foreign policy towards China and forced the White House to step up to remind that the only Chinese government that Washington has accepted since 1979 is that of Beijing.
“As for the motivations behind certain actions of President-elect Trump and his team”, Lu continued, “I don’t want to speculate, but we certainly must declare our stand and attitude on issues that affect China”.
Since Friday’s call, Trump has written numerous times about China on his Twitter page, saying, “Interesting how the USA sells Taiwan billions of dollars of military equipment but I should not accept a congratulatory call”. The US is legally obliged to help Taiwan defend itself in the event of war with China, but the avoidance of communication between the leaders is due to the One China policy. Trump wrote in two consecutive tweets sent at about 5:30 p.m.
Since 1979, the USA carried out $12 billion in weapons sales to Taiwan, and Beijing voices its opposition every time. It would also certainly create tensions between Washington and Beijing.
Donald Trump has complained about Chinese economic and military policy after a phone conversation with Taiwan’s President drew the ire of Beijing. The move ended US diplomatic relations with the Republic of China, the government on Taiwan, which retreated to the island at the end of the Chinese civil war.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, in a measured response, said on Saturday that this was but a “petty gambit” by Taiwan, without pointedly mentioning Mr Trump. “Trump also knows”, Lu said.
Between them, Mr Trump and Mr Pence have had more than 50 phone calls with foreign leaders so far, and have yet to get in touch with the State Department for information or recommendations about calling foreign leaders.
President-elect Donald Trump’s controversial phone call with Taiwan’s president on Friday was the work of Trump staffers and Taiwan specialists that had been months in the making, The Washington Post reported, citing sources familiar with the matter.
Beijing regards Taiwan – officially the Republic of China – as a breakaway province and has said it will use military force against the island if necessary.
However, it is also a fact that the USA has maintained substantial defence and business-to-business relationships with Taiwan.
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“I do think there’s a value, obviously, on having at least the recommendations, whether you choose to follow them or not is a different issue”, Kerry told a think-tank conference.
