Trump Suggested Selling Arms to China During Xi Meeting, Ambassador Says
U.S. Ambassador David Perdue claims Trump raised the idea of arms sales to China during talks with Xi Jinping, though the administration denies any such plans.
2 min read
During a recent meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly suggested the possibility of selling American weapons to China, according to U.S. Ambassador to China David Perdue. Perdue shared the claim during an interview with Fox News’ Shannon Bream, though Trump denied the report on Monday.
Trump’s Comments on Arms Sales
Perdue said Trump framed the idea of arms sales as part of broader international deals, stating, “President Trump continues to say, ‘Hey, we sell arms to other people around the world.’” He added that Trump had specifically asked Xi if he would be interested in purchasing American weapons during their discussions in Washington.
When asked about delays in arms sales to Taiwan, Perdue explained that Trump viewed such deals as part of a global arms trade, not an issue specifically tied to China. Perdue later clarified that while the administration had no plans to sell arms to China, the suggestion might have been about Taiwan, which remains a sensitive topic in U.S.-China relations.
U.S. Law Prohibits Arms Sales to China
The State Department confirmed that U.S. law prohibits arms sales to China, and there are no current or planned offers to sell weapons to Beijing. China’s foreign ministry reiterated its commitment to strengthening national defense based on its own needs, but did not directly address whether it would consider purchasing American weapons.
Context of U.S.-China Relations
The meeting between Trump and Xi took place amid ongoing trade tensions and competition in advanced technologies like artificial intelligence. Both nations have imposed tariffs on each other’s goods, and there is a growing debate over whether China should have access to cutting-edge U.S. AI chips. The Commerce Department has restricted exports of certain chips to China, citing national security concerns.
Former Trump AI advisor David Sacks warned that selling China’s latest AI technology could provide an unfair advantage, but he also cautioned against completely cutting off access. The discussion reflects broader concerns about the strategic implications of technology sharing between the two nations.
Future Meetings and Trump’s Outlook
Trump expressed satisfaction with the meeting, calling it “very productive” and highlighting plans for two more meetings before the end of the year. The two leaders are set to meet again in November in China and at the G20 summit in December in Miami, Florida.
Source: Daily Wire
