Trump denies offering to sell arms to China's Xi

United States President Donald Trump on Monday denied claiming to have offered to sell arms to China's leader Xi Jinping. This statement contradicts the previous claim made by Trump's envoy to China, David Perdue, who had reportedly stated that Trump made the extraordinary offer during Xi's state visit. In response to Perdue's comments, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that he had never heard of such an offer and that he would need to ask Xi about it.

Perdue had said that Trump had made the offer during Xi's visit in response to Chinese concerns over US weapons sales to Taiwan. He further added that Trump had only asked Xi if he would like to buy some weapons. However, a US official earlier dismissed Perdue's remarks, stating that the US government has no plans to sell weapons to China.

The issue of US arms sales to Taiwan, a self-governed island claimed by China, has been a contentious subject between Washington and Beijing. US law mandates supplying Taiwan with weapons for its defense, and the US has approved arms sales to Taiwan in the past. The Chinese foreign ministry did not directly answer when questioned about Perdue's claim, but it reiterated that China is committed to maintaining peace and stability worldwide.