Taiwan said Thursday its president, Lai Ching-te, would be "happy" to speak with President Trump, extending what continues to a tense and complicated diplomatic situation between China, Taiwan and the United States.

Taiwan's foreign ministry, in a statement, reiterated Lai's public statements Wednesday about China's military buildup in opposition to Taiwan's attempt to exert its independence from China and said Lai “is also happy to discuss these matters with President Trump,” according to NBC News.

Trump said earlier this week: “I’ll speak to him. I speak to everybody."

In 1979, Washington shifted diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing, and no U.S. president has spoken directly to the Taiwanese leader since. 

The Trump administration's policies have prioritized trade cooperation with China and downplayed confrontation over Taiwan. Trump appeared to soften U.S. support for Taiwan, stalling a planned arms sale to use as a bargaining chip in negotiations with the Chinese. 

Chinese President Xi Jinping warned Trump at their Beijing summit earlier this month that the U.S. and China could see "conflicts" if Taiwan mishandled.