President Trump denied reports that he asked President Xi Jinping whether China would like to buy US weapons, contradicting an account from US Ambassador to China David Perdue. US officials told the Wall Street Journal that Washington has no plans—and likely could not legally—sell arms to China. Beijing declined to comment, and analysts say any arms sales to China would unsettle allies in East Asia, especially Taiwan.
Trump Denies Asking Xi To Buy US Weapons, Contradicting Ambassador’s Account
FILE PHOTO - US President Donald Trump (R) and Chinese President Xi Jinping watch the military review in the Rose Garden at the White House. (is associated with: «Trump disputes account he asked Xi about buying US weapons») Matt Kaminsky/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
US President Donald Trump on Monday denied an account by US Ambassador to China David Perdue that he asked Chinese President Xi Jinping whether China would like to purchase US weapons.
What Was Said
Perdue told Fox News on Sunday that Mr. Trump had made it clear to Xi that the United States sells arms globally and remarked, "He actually asked President Xi, would he like to buy some at one point," in the context of a discussion about US arms sales to Taiwan.
"He actually asked President Xi, would he like to buy some at one point." — David Perdue, US Ambassador to China
Trump, speaking to reporters, said he had "never heard of that one" and that he would need to speak with Perdue to confirm the account. Beijing declined to comment on the differing US accounts.
Official Reactions and Context
China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said Beijing is strengthening its defence capabilities according to its needs and reaffirmed that China is committed to maintaining global peace and stability.
After Perdue’s interview aired, US government officials told the Wall Street Journal they had no plans to sell weapons to China and noted such a sale would likely be legally impossible under current US law. Those officials would not confirm whether the alleged remark occurred during President Xi’s recent visit to Washington or in earlier talks.
Why This Matters
Arms sales to China would have major strategic implications and could alarm US allies in East Asia, particularly Taiwan, which receives defensive military support from Washington and is regarded by Beijing as part of its territory. US military assistance to Taiwan has long been a point of tension between Washington and Beijing.
Bottom line: The White House and its envoy offer conflicting accounts about whether Mr. Trump raised the prospect of arms sales with Xi, while US officials stress that selling weapons to China is not planned and would likely be prohibited by law.
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