Former Speaker Newt Gingrich on Monday defended Donald Trump Donald John TrumpOmar fires back at Trump over rally remarks: 'This is my country' Pelosi: Trump hurrying to fill SCOTUS seat so he can repeal ObamaCare Trump mocks Biden appearance, mask use ahead of first debate MORE after the president-elect took a call from Taiwan's leader.

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"If the leader of a free people call you, why wouldn't you take the call? This whole State Department mythology that we have to somehow let the Chinese dictate to us is nonsense," Gingrich said on Fox & Friends.

"I thought it was a good signal to the world that Donald Trump is going to be his own person and that if the Chinese want to deal with the United States, they're going to have to actually deal with the United States. They're not going to be able to intimidate us."

In speaking with President Tsai Ing-wen, Trump became the first president or president-elect since Jimmy Carter to have a conversation with Taiwan's leader.

Carter broke off diplomatic relations with Taiwan, which Beijing views as a breakaway province, as part of the one-China policy. The policy effectively dictates that countries either recognize diplomatically the People's Republic of China, on the mainland, or the Republic of China, on Taiwan, but not both.

U.S. presidents in both parties, from Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush to Bill Clinton William (Bill) Jefferson ClintonChelsea Clinton: Trump isn't building public confidence in a vaccine Hillary Clinton launching podcast this month GOP brushes back charges of hypocrisy in Supreme Court fight MORE and Barack Obama Barack Hussein ObamaMichelle Obama and Jennifer Lopez exchange Ginsburg memories Pence defends Trump's 'obligation' to nominate new Supreme Court justice The militia menace MORE, had abided by the policy, though the U.S. continues to sell arms to Taiwan.

Some conservatives praised Trump for holding the discussion with Tsai, who they noted represents a democratically elected government. Gingrich put himself solidly in that camp with his own comments.

"This is a democracy calling him. Somebody walks in and say, 'Hi, the elected leader of a democracy would like to chat with you,'" Gingrich said. "Somehow it's OK for the State Department to talk to any dictator on the planet, but an elected leader of a democracy, boy that's really dangerous."

The Washington Post reported Monday morning that the call had been long planned, though top Trump aide Kellyanne Conway said Sunday the conversation was "just a phone call" and urged people not to read too much into it.

Trump has been critical of China throughout his presidential campaign, arguing that trade deals have hurt American jobs and workers.

China said Saturday it had raised a complaint over the call.