Trump Offered US Arms To China, Ambassador Says

Email: online@newsofbahrain.com

Washington: US President Donald Trump asked Chinese President Xi Jinping if China wants to acquire American weaponry, according to US Ambassador to China David Perdue.

Perdue made the remark in an interview with Fox News during Xi's recent trip to Washington. He stated that Trump was discussing US military sales to Taiwan and emphasized that America sells weapons to governments all around the world before asking Xi if China wanted to acquire some.

The reported exchange came amid ongoing tensions over Taiwan, which Beijing says is part of China. According to US law, Washington must give Taiwan with the means to defend itself, whereas China adamantly opposes American weaponry supplies to the island.

However, the US State Department has stated that there is no plan or offer to provide weapons to China, citing US legislation that bars arms sales to Beijing. Perdue also did not say exactly when Trump made the comment or how Xi responded.

The remarks are noteworthy because the United States is now examining a proposed $14 billion arms package for Taiwan, which has remained waiting. Trump had previously mentioned Taiwanese arms sales as a potential negotiation tactic in dealings with China.