Trump speaks with Taiwanese president

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump spoke with Taiwanese president on the phone for the first time since 1979 when the U.S. and Taiwan severed the diplomatic ties. This has brought about not small ramification to the U.S.-China relations, which have been based on “One China” principle that doesn’t recognize Taiwan as a state. Since the U.S. president-elect has said that he would be willing to wage a trade war against China if it’s for the interest of America, many see that Mr. Trump may have already begun pressing on China by taking advantage of Cross-Strait Relations.

“During the discussion, they noted the close economic, political and security ties [that exist] between Taiwan, and the U.S. President-elect Trump also congratulated President Tsai on becoming president of Taiwan earlier this year,” the Trump transition team explained on Friday (local time). The presidential office of Taiwan confirmed the phone conversation in its statement on Saturday. “We have made a serious complaint to relevant department in the U.S.,” said Geng Shuang, spokesperson of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China.

"We remain firmly committed to our 'one China' policy," said national security spokesman Ned Price, perplexed by unpredicted acts by the president-elect. “Interesting how the U.S. sells Taiwan billions of dollars of military equipment but I should not accept a congratulatory call,” U.S. president-elect Donald Trump tweeted.

Seung-Heon Lee ddr@donga.com · Ja-Ryong Koo bonhong@donga.com