Trump asked China’s president if he wants to buy US arms, ambassador says

President Donald Trump discussed the pending U.S. arms sale to Taiwan with Chinese President Xi Jinping, according to Ambassador David Perdue. Perdue stated that Trump framed the potential sale as just one of many arms sales the U.S. conducts globally, even asking Xi if he would consider purchasing U.S. arms. This offer, if followed through, would significantly alter U.S. policy regarding China and Taiwan.

Perdue affirmed that Trump is as assertive about Taiwan as he has ever been and that the U.S. has sold substantial weapons to the island. However, the current administration has not definitively committed to providing military support to Taiwan if China were to invade.