Donald Trump's group was labeled as "pigs" by Global Times, which is a Chinese newspaper with reported links to ruling Communist Party. The newspaper warned the president-elect that he might endanger both countries' relationship with them if he continues to provoke China. This debacle follows his most recent phone call with Taiwan's Tsai Ing-wen.
According to The Telegraph, China suspects that Tsai Ing-wen seeks to gain formal independence for Taiwan. Beijing supposedly perceives the island nation as province that needs to reunite with the mainland. The US has been talking to Beijing since 1979 and has not communicated with any of Taiwan's leaders until Donald Trump received that phone call.
Donald Trump also took to Twitter last weekend, to voice his opinions over the conversation. The president-elect says that Tsai Ing-wen called to "wish me congratulations" over his election victory. He also added that it seems odd why he should "not accept a congratulatory call."
CNN reports that during a local radio interview, Stephen Moore defended Donald Trump for receiving the call from Taiwan. Moore was a former economic advisor to the president-elect. The economist said "Taiwan is our ally" and elaborated that the US has backed the country "because they believe in freedom." He then added, "if China doesn't like it, screw 'em." He continued to praise Trump for doing what he did, which he compares to other people being worried about China being insulted. He was also quoted saying "I don't care if we insult the Chinese."
The Global Times voiced their displeasure with what Stephen Moore said. They went on to describe him like the "angry youth on the internet." They were also expressing their concern about Donald Trump getting stuck in a confrontation with China before the beginning of his term, claiming the president-elect will be discovering that its "too late for regrets."