Donald Trump where no U.S. commander-in-chief had gone since diplomatic relations were restored with China in 1979. President-elect Donald Trump has spoken with the president of Taiwan, a move that will be sure to anger China. Twice in the last week Trump has had phone conversations that have prompted consternation with nuclear powers. On Wednesday, he called Pakistan Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif a “terrific guy” in comments sure to irk India. On Friday, it was China’s turn. It is highly unusual, probably unprecedented, for a US president or president- elect to speak directly with a leader of Taiwan, a self-governing island the US broke diplomatic ties with in 1979.

The Trump team did not initially respond to multiple requests for comment but later confirmed that the president-elect had spoken with Ms Tsai and “noted the close economic, political, and security ties” between Taiwan and the United States. Beijing’s immediate response was brief and muted. “China firmly opposes any official interaction or military contact between [the] U.S. and Taiwan,” said China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement reported by Chinese state media.