Donald Trump denies offering weapons to China following ambassador's claim

arms sales US-China relations David Perdue Xi Jinping Taiwan arms package

US Ambassador to China David Perdue has claimed that President Donald Trump offered to sell American weapons to Chinese President Xi Jinping during a recent state visit to Washington. Perdue stated that Trump frequently mentions US arms sales to other nations and specifically asked Xi if China would be interested in purchasing some.

Donald Trump has denied these claims, suggesting that the ambassador was likely referring to Taiwan rather than China. Trump noted that China might want US equipment because it is superior to their own, but maintained that no such discussion took place.

The US State Department has issued a clarification, stating that there are no plans or offers to sell weapons to China, noting that such sales are prohibited by existing US law.

This controversy arises amid tensions regarding Taiwan. While the US is legally obligated to provide defensive weapons to Taiwan, the Trump administration is currently withholding a 14 billion dollar arms package for the island.

Entities

China · David Perdue · Donald Trump · Taiwan · United States · United States Department of State · Xi Jinping

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 4 SOURCES] United States law prohibits the sale of weapons to China. nacion.com.uy · www.spazio50.org · www.heftig.de · theobjective.com
[● 2 SOURCES] The Trump administration is currently withholding a 14 billion dollar arms package intended for Taiwan. nacion.com.uy · metropolitanmagazine.it
[● 6 SOURCES] US Ambassador David Perdue claimed Donald Trump asked Xi Jinping if China wanted to purchase American weapons. nacion.com.uy · www.spazio50.org · www.heftig.de · metropolitanmagazine.it · theobjective.com · +1 more
[● 5 SOURCES] The US State Department clarified that there are no plans or offers to sell weapons to China. nacion.com.uy · www.spazio50.org · www.heftig.de · theobjective.com · www.ms.now
[● 3 SOURCES] Donald Trump denied offering weapons to China, suggesting the ambassador was likely referring to Taiwan. nacion.com.uy · www.heftig.de · theobjective.com