Trump Asked Xi If China Wanted to Buy US Weapons, Ambassador Says

President Donald Trump raised an extraordinary question with Chinese President Xi Jinping during their recent talks, asking whether China would be interested in buying American weapons, according to U.S. Ambassador to China David Perdue.

Perdue disclosed the exchange during a television interview Sunday, several days after Trump hosted Xi for a high-profile state visit in Washington. His comments came amid continuing questions over U.S. weapons sales to Taiwan and whether Washington’s military relationship with Taipei could become a source of greater tension with Beijing.

The ambassador did not say when Trump made the unusual remark or provide details about how Xi responded. The comments nevertheless drew attention because China is one of the United States’ principal strategic competitors, while American law restricts arms sales to Beijing.

A State Department official subsequently told the South China Morning Post that U.S. law prohibits arms sales to China and that Washington has no offer or plan to sell weapons to Beijing.

The episode arose in a discussion about American arms sales to Taiwan, the self-governing island that Beijing claims as part of its territory.

Trump Defends Arms Sales to Taiwan

Perdue said Trump remains committed to Taiwan and argued that the president’s approach to weapons sales should not be interpreted as a weakening of U.S. support for the island.

The ambassador said Trump has repeatedly pointed out that the United States sells military equipment to countries around the world. In that context, Perdue said Trump at one point asked Xi whether China would like to purchase American weapons.

The remark was made as Trump and Xi discussed one of the most sensitive issues in the U.S.-China relationship.

China strongly opposes American arms sales to Taiwan and has repeatedly urged Washington to stop providing military equipment to Taipei. Beijing regards Taiwan as part of China and has not ruled out the use of force to bring the island under its control.

Taiwan, meanwhile, has sought to strengthen its defensive capabilities as Chinese military activity around the island has increased.

Following the Trump-Xi summit, a senior Taiwanese diplomat said continued American arms supplies to Taiwan were an important U.S. interest, arguing that Taiwan’s security also has implications for the global semiconductor industry.

No Plan to Arm China

Despite Perdue’s comments, there is no indication that the United States is preparing to sell weapons to China.

A State Department official said U.S. law prevents such sales and that there was no offer or plan for Washington to provide American weapons to Beijing.

That distinction is important because the United States and China maintain extensive military and technological competition. Washington has imposed restrictions on sensitive technologies exported to China, while Beijing has developed its own defense industry and increasingly sophisticated military capabilities.

A U.S. decision to sell American weapons to China would represent a dramatic departure from longstanding policy. The ambassador’s account therefore appears to describe a conversational remark rather than an active proposal under consideration by the administration.

Perdue also said the basic framework of U.S. policy toward Taiwan has not changed.

Taiwan Remains a Major Point of Tension

Taiwan was among the most difficult issues facing Trump and Xi as they sought to stabilize relations during Xi’s visit to Washington.

Before the summit, Chinese officials had signaled that Beijing wanted Washington to halt or reduce arms sales to Taiwan. Chinese officials have repeatedly described the Taiwan issue as the most important and sensitive matter in the bilateral relationship.

U.S. officials, however, have continued to cite Washington’s longstanding legal and policy commitments concerning Taiwan’s ability to defend itself.

Reuters reported that Taiwanese officials emphasized the importance of U.S. support following the summit, while China has continued to oppose American weapons transfers to the island.

The competing positions leave Taiwan at the center of a broader strategic dispute between Washington and Beijing.

Trump and Xi Seek Stability Despite Disagreements

The unusual exchange over weapons came during a broader summit covering trade, technology, artificial intelligence, Iran and other international issues.

Trump and Xi have attempted to reduce some of the pressure that developed during earlier rounds of U.S.-China trade tensions. Their meetings have produced discussions aimed at maintaining economic stability, even as the two governments continue to compete over advanced technology and national security.

Taiwan remains different because it combines economic, military and geopolitical interests.

The island is a major producer of advanced semiconductors, making its security important to technology companies and governments around the world. At the same time, China’s claim over Taiwan makes American support for Taipei a highly sensitive issue for Beijing.

The United States does not have formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan but maintains extensive unofficial ties and supplies the island with military equipment.

What Happens Next?

Perdue’s comments are likely to renew attention on the administration’s approach to Taiwan and its relationship with China.

For Beijing, American weapons sales to Taiwan remain a major objection. For Washington, supporting Taiwan’s defensive capabilities has long been part of its broader approach to maintaining stability in the region.

Trump’s reported question to Xi adds an unusual moment to those continuing negotiations, but the available information does not indicate that an American arms sale to China is being pursued.

Instead, the comments highlight the very different positions the United States and China continue to hold over military equipment, Taiwan and regional security.

As Washington and Beijing attempt to maintain dialogue, the Taiwan issue is likely to remain one of the most difficult subjects between the two governments. The latest exchange shows how questions about weapons sales can quickly become part of the much larger debate over the future of U.S.-China relations.