- No doubt causing plenty of hair-pulling in Foggy Bottom and in traditional newsrooms across the country, Donald Trump today became the first U.S. president or president-elect to speak with a president of Taiwan since apparently 1979.
- As part of recognizing the government of Beijing, the U.S. cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan in the late 70s, and has adhered to the so-called "one China" principle since. Trump's conversation with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen more or less walks that back.
- During the call, the two "noted the close economic, political, and security ties that exist between Taiwan and the U.S.," says the transition team. Trump also congratulated Tsai on becoming president of Taiwan earlier this year.
- Besides spitting in the eye of the U.S. diplomatic core and the press old guard, Trump's call seems likely to infuriate Beijing (Trump has also spoken with Chinese President Xi Jinping since his election), which considers Taiwan a breakaway province.
- This action, of course, comes in addition to candidate Trump's vow to take a very tough line on China's trade practices, including a threat to slap import tariffs on Chinese goods and formally declare the country a currency manipulator.