From KCRW in Santa Monica and PRI, Public Radio International, this is To the Point.

Trump's China policy, zigs and zags.

Hello again, I'm Armin Alney, and this is To the Point.

Last week, Donald Trump broke 40 years of protocol when he spoke directly to the president of Taiwan,

the island nation China considers a renegade province.

Today, he named his ambassador to China,

Iowa Governor Terry Brandstad,

with a long history of friendly relations with China's leaders.

When Trump zigged, some called it a rookie mistake,

till it turned out that Bob Dole helped to set up the call with Taiwan, will the Zag mend fences

with China? We'll get the latest on a president-elect unrestricted by diplomatic conventions.

On our talking point later, America's Relations with Japan on this 75th anniversary

of Pearl Harbor. First, here's the news. Check out KCRW's all-news channel, News 24,

programming from KCRW, NPR, BBC, and more, 24 hours a day.

Go to KCRW.com slash News24 or listen on KCRW's app.

Support for To the Point comes from the members of KCRW and from the Public Radio International Program Fund.

Hello again. I'm Oran Al-Aulay, back with To The Point. Last week, Donald Trump broke diplomatic precedent and offended China. Today, he has named an ambassador that China considers a friend. Is it amateurism by a rookie in foreign affairs or a calculated strategy to keep China guessing?

On our talking point later, Shinsho Abe, will do what no Japanese prime minister has done before, visit Pearl Harbor, subject to a surprise attack by his country 75 years ago today.

The visit will be later this month in the spirit of reconciliation, but not apology. First, this news update. Another Trump

cabinet selection goes to another general. This time is John F. Kelly, a four-star veteran of 40 years

in the Marine Corps, with a history of command in combat and whose own son was killed in Afghanistan.

He is slated to be the Secretary of Homeland Security.

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