China's Foreign Ministry lodged a complaint with the US over the Taiwan call.
Some critics portrayed the move as the thoughtless blundering of a foreign policy novice, but other experts say it appears more calculated, planned in advance to signal a new, robust approach to relations with China.
The call looks like an attempt to test the waters of a new approach before Trump becomes president, experts said: After the inauguration, a similar move would have had more serious diplomatic ramifications.
Trump's immediate response was to tweet:
"The President of Taiwan CALLED ME today to wish me congratulations on winning the Presidency. Thank you!"
And: "Interesting how the U.S. sells Taiwan billions of dollars of military equipment but I should not accept a congratulatory call."
Today's tweets drew further criticism.
Former British Labour Party leader Ed Miliband commented: "Trump railing against China on Twitter like it is a Celebrity Apprentice feud is not funny, but deeply, deeply worrying for the world."
Political analyst Ana Navarro tweeted: "Trump & Fam manufacture tons of cheap crap in China. How about if instead of hypocritical tweeting, they make products "Made in the USA"?
Slate political writer Jamelle Bouie tweeted: "Donald Trump is going to tweet us into a military confrontation, isn't he?"
Political scientist Ian Bremmer said: "It's almost as if Trump was looking to kick off China relations as badly as possible."
- Herald Online, Washington Post
