Taiwan official: Call with Trump was prearranged

The historic phone call between the President-elect Donald Trump and the Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen was prearranged, according to a Taiwanese official.

“Maintaining good relations with the United States is as important as maintaining good relations across the Taiwan Strait,” Taiwanese presidential spokesman Alex Huang told NBC News. 

{mosads}The official added that both relationships are “in line with Taiwan’s national interest,” and that the phone call was not a surprise.

Trump’s conversation with the Taiwanese leader on Friday sparked outrage from lawmakers who believe that it may severely damage diplomatic relations with China.

Trump defended his conversation on twitter, stating that it was President Tsai Ing-wen who initiated the talk. 

“The President of Taiwan CALLED ME today to wish me congratulations on winning the Presidency. Thank you!” he tweeted.