US president–elect Donald Trump has torpedoed White House efforts to smooth over the troubled waters stirred up by his chat with the Taiwanese President.

He has unleashed a Twitter tirade against China, defying efforts to talk down the diplomatic blunder.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters it was unclear what potential benefit Mr Trump’s phone call with Tsai Ing–wen had to the United States, China, or Taiwan.

The White House responds to President-elect Donald Trump's tweets about China and Taiwan https://t.co/DA0tfVJsum https://t.co/eJ3WRjgHgL

— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) December 5, 2016

Mr Trump broke with decades of carefully respected protocol in what’s being described as a puzzling and provocative move.

But an unrepentant Mr Trump quite clearly does not care, making new accusations through social media of Chinese currency manipulation.

their country (the U.S. doesn't tax them) or to build a massive military complex in the middle of the South China Sea? I don't think so!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 4, 2016

Economists say his claims over the yuan are inaccurate and outdated.

China has warned Mr Trump he is risking a confrontation over the issue. The New York Times reports that only inspired him to take an even tougher line.

The newspaper said his reaction has further dampened hopes in Beijing that he might step back from the campaign rhetoric he has used, including threats of punishing trade tariffs.

The Economic consequences of Mr Trump The U.S. Industries most at risk from a trade war with China @StatistaCharts https://t.co/7hbhEYV8eE pic.twitter.com/bQdoL6mVH2

— John Ashcroft (@jkaonline) December 5, 2016

“That could put President Xi Jinping in a difficult position, forced to choose between playing down Mr. Trump’s attacks and risking a backlash at home, or raising the stakes by pushing back more forcefully and setting China on a potential collision course with the United States, its most important trading partner.”

However Mr Trump’s moves have not been universally panned.

There are claims the controversial phone call was long–planned, and was part of his plans to cut China down to size.

"China is not our friend — Trump's Taiwan call cuts belligerent rival down to size" https://t.co/rEtJ57S3pw pic.twitter.com/DLc5dZ6qPQ

— The Hill (@thehill) December 5, 2016

The Hill suggests that commentary Mr Trump is acting without knowledge or understanding are off the mark – and that he knows exactly what he is doing.

Chinese social media posts have mocked him for his ‘reckless remarks’ and trying to run the country via Twitter.

But Mr Trump obviously has no intention of letting anyone take away his Twitter account (again) any time soon ….

If the press would cover me accurately & honorably, I would have far less reason to "tweet." Sadly, I don't know if that will ever happen!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 5, 2016

Mr Trump has not held a press conference since July.