Trump speaks to Taiwan president, risks rift with China

Breaking decades of US diplomatic policy, President-elect Donald Trump spoke to Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen and a discussed various issues, 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 yesterday 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 yesterday was among a series of talks he had with the leaders of Asian countries on phone before taking office.
"President-elect Trump congratulated President Tsai on becoming President of Taiwan earlier this year," the readout said.

Trump also spoke with Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani, who congratulated him on his historic victory.

"The two men discussed the grave terrorism threats faced by both the countries and pledged to work more closely together in order to meet these growing threats," the transition team said.
In another phone call, President of Philippines Rodrigo Roa Duterte offered congratulatory wishes to Trump. In their conversation, they noted the long history of friendship and cooperation between the two nations, and agreed they would continue to work closely on matters of shared interest and concerns.
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong also congratulated Trump on his remarkable election victory.

"The two men discussed the long history of good economic, political, and security relations between the United States and Singapore," the readout said.
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.

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The Congress, however appeared to be bitterly divided.
The Democratic National Committee (DNC) described it as a "foolish" call, while Republican lawmakers said this is a bold move.
The White House, which was unaware of the phone call till it happened asserted that this is unlikely to have an impact on long standing one-China policy of the United States.
"There is no change to our longstanding policy on cross-Strait issues.We remain firmly committed to our "one China" policy based on the three Joint Communiques and the Taiwan Relations Act. Our fundamental interest is in peaceful and stable cross-Strait relations," said Ned Price Spokesman of the National Security Council, White House.

"As President Obama has said, we are committed to ensuring the smoothest possible transition for the incoming administration. Every President, regardless of party, has benefited from the expertise and counsel of State Department on matters like these," Price said.
"This (phone call) suggests that we are in for a really really bumpy road," said Senator Chris Murphy.
Senator Tom Cotton commended Trump for his conversation with Tsai Ing-wen.
Taiwan, he said is the only democracy on Chinese soil.
"I have met with President Tsai twice and I'm confident she expressed to the president-elect the same desire for closer relations with the United States," Cotton said.

Congressman Steve Chabot, Chairman of the House Small Business Committee, said he is pleased to hear that Trump has re-engaged Taiwan at the highest level.
"For too long, Taiwan has been subjected to the bully tactics of the People's Republic of China," he said.
Her is also a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Judiciary Committee.
"Donald Trump is either too incompetent to understand that his foolish phone call threatens our national security, or he's doing it deliberately because he reportedly wants to build hotels in Taiwan to pad his own pockets," said DNC spokesman Eric Walker, alleging that by doing so Trump is prioritising his personal fortune over the security interests of the nation.