Trump shrugs off fuss over call with Taiwan leader
President-elect is ‘ just shooting from the hip,’ says senior Asia adviser
BEIJING — President-elect Donald Trump is unapologetic about roiling diplomatic waters by speaking on the phone with Taiwan’s leader, a breach of longstanding tradition that risks enmity from China.
The U.S. severed diplomatic ties with the self-governing island in 1979, but has maintained close unofficial relations and a commitment to support its defense.
Trump’s conversation with Taiwanese President Tsai Ingwen drew an irritated, although understated, response from China as Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Saturday that the contact was “just a small trick by Taiwan” that he believed would not change U.S. policy toward China, according to Hong Kong’s Phoenix TV.
After the phone conversation Friday, Trump tweeted that Tsai “CALLED ME.” He also groused about reaction to the call: “Interesting how the U.S. sells Taiwan billions of dollars of military equipment but I should not accept a congratulatory call.”
The U.S. shifted diplomatic recognition to China from Taiwan in 1979. But governments in Washington and Taipei have maintained close unofficial ties, and deep economic and defense relations. The U.S. is required by law to provide Taiwan with weapons for its defense.
Since 2009, the Obama administration has approved $14 billion in arms sales to Taiwan.
The call was the starkest example yet of how Trump has flouted diplomatic conventions since he won the Nov. 8 election. He has apparently undertaken calls with foreign leaders without guidance customarily given by the State Department.
“President-elect Trump is just shooting from the hip, trying to take phone calls of congratulatory messages from leaders around the world without consideration for the implications,” said Bonnie Glaser, senior adviser for Asia at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington.
Over the decades, the status of Taiwan has been one of the most sensitive issues in U.S.China relations. China regards Taiwan as part of its territory, to be retaken by force, if necessary, if it seeks independence. It would regard any recognition of a Taiwanese leader as a head of state as unacceptable.
Taiwan split from the Chinese mainland in 1949; U.S. policy acknowledges the Chinese view over sovereignty, but considers Taiwan’s status unsettled.
Ned Price, a spokesman for the White House National Security Council, said Trump’s conversation does not signal any change to U.S. policy on cross-strait issues.