National security

Trump Showing Signs of Changing U.S. Security Relationships in Asia

President-elect Donald Trump’s telephone conversation Friday with the president of Taiwan shows just how much the equation of the United States’ relations with nations in the Asia-Pacific could be changing.

Accepting the congratulatory call from Tsai Ing-wen was a clear signal to China that everything — from trade to diplomacy to security — was on the table for negotiation. As a statement from the transition put it: The two “noted the close economic, political and security ties” between Taiwan and the United States.

The United States has not had diplomatic relations with Taipei since 1979. After President Richard Nixon’s visit in 1972, the United States has pursued a “One China” policy, not recognizing Taiwan as an independent nation or its leaders being the legitimate government of mainland China.