WASHINGTON, Sep 28: US Ambassador to China David Perdue said President Donald Trump had asked Chinese President Xi Jinping whether Beijing would be interested in purchasing American weapons, while discussing Washington’s arms sales to Taiwan. The remark came days after Xi’s state visit to Washington and amid continuing tensions between the two countries over Taiwan.
Perdue made the comments during an interview on Fox News, saying Trump had sought to portray US weapons sales to Taiwan as part of Washington’s broader defence trade with countries around the world. He said Trump had also raised the possibility of China purchasing US arms.
The ambassador did not specify when the alleged exchange took place. He was responding to concerns over delays involving US weapons and military assistance for Taiwan, which Beijing has repeatedly opposed.
Perdue maintained that Trump remained committed to supporting Taiwan and said the US president continued discussions with Xi about future American arms supplies to the island.
The remarks have drawn attention because US law prohibits arms sales to China. Washington does not recognise Taiwan as an independent country but has long supplied the island with weapons and is legally required to help it maintain the capability to defend itself.
China has consistently demanded that the US stop supplying weapons to Taiwan. Following an earlier Trump-Xi meeting in Beijing, Washington paused a record USD 14 billion weapons package for Taiwan. Trump had described such arms sales as a negotiating tool in discussions with Beijing.
During Xi’s latest visit to Washington, the Chinese leader urged Trump to oppose Taiwan independence, according to Chinese state media.
China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun did not directly confirm Perdue’s account when questioned about it. He said Beijing determines the development of its defence capabilities according to its security needs and remains committed to preserving world peace and stability.
However, the account was later disputed by Trump. On Monday, Trump said he had not discussed selling weapons to China with Xi and suggested Perdue may have been referring to Taiwan instead. The State Department also said there was no plan or offer to sell US arms to China, noting that such sales are prohibited under US law.