Trump rejects claim he offered weapons to Xi, says comment may have meant Taiwan
President Donald Trump denied offering U.S. arms to Chinese President Xi Jinping, suggesting the ambassador’s remark might have referred to Taiwan instead.
When asked about reports that he offered weapons to China, President Donald Trump said he was unfamiliar with such a proposal and suggested the ambassador might have been speaking about Taiwan. This response directly conflicts with remarks by Ambassador David Perdue, who said Trump had asked President Xi Jinping whether he wanted to buy American arms. The State Department clarified that U.S. law prohibits arms sales to China and that no offer or plan is in place.
Perdue also defended Trump’s strong stance on Taiwan, noting continued U.S. arms sales to the island. China’s foreign ministry did not confirm the ambassador’s account, emphasizing its own defence needs and commitment to peace. The incident highlights the sensitivity of U.S.-China-Taiwan relations and the administration’s effort to distance itself from any perceived policy shift.
Why it matters
The denial underscores tensions over U.S. arms sales to Taiwan and the diplomatic friction between Washington and Beijing.
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