Washington Post, NYT describe the US President-elect’s move ‘a breach of diplomatic protocol
Donald Trump (left) and Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen. Pic/AP
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Washington: Breaking decades of US diplomatic policy, President-elect Donald Trump spoke to Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, a move which could infuriate China.
“President-elect Trump spoke with President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan, who offered her congratulations,” the presidential transition team said on Friday in a readout of the phone call. “During the discussion, they noted the close economic, political, and security ties existing between Taiwan and the United States,” it said.
Trump’s conversation to Taiwanese President on Friday was among a series of talks he had with the leaders of Asian countries on phone before taking office.
Trump also spoke with Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani, President of Philippines Rodrigo Roa Duterte and Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who offered congratulatory wishes on his historic victory.
The New York Times said the move by Trump is “a striking break with nearly four decades of diplomatic practice that could precipitate a major rift with China” even before Trump takes office. He is believed to be the first President-elect or President to have spoken with a Taiwanese leader since 1979 when the US served its diplomatic ties with Taiwan after its recognition of China.
The Washington Post described this as a “breach of diplomatic protocol” with ramifications for Trump Administration’s relationship with China. “The telephone call is certain to incense China, which considers Taiwan a renegade province. It is the first major sign of the unpredictability that Trump has vowed to bring to long-held US relations with the rest of the world,” CNN said.
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