Trump denies offering to sell arms to China’s Xi

US President Donald Trump refuted claims that his administration intended to sell weapons to China, contradicting statements made by US Ambassador to China. "I have never heard of that," Trump stated at the White House when asked about the matter. "We never discussed it." He suggested that Ambassador David Perdue should inquire about the alleged offer.

Perdue had previously told Fox News that the US was willing to sell weapons to anyone worldwide. When questioned, Perdue confirmed Trump's stance that the US supplies weapons to various countries. China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Guo Jiakun, responded cautiously, emphasizing China's focus on strengthening its defense capabilities based on its needs.

China maintains a stance of preserving global peace and stability. The Chinese Foreign Ministry did not delve into specifics, including details about when Trump allegedly made the offer and Xi's reaction. The implications of a US weapon sale to China are significant, particularly for US allies in East Asia threatened by China's assertive behavior.

Taiwan, an independent island that Beijing claims as part of its territory, faces pressure from China to reunify by force if necessary. Despite US routine arms shipments to Taiwan, Beijing remains a constant thorn in Washington's side. Washington supports Taiwan's status quo, neither advocating for independence nor opposing China's aggressive posturing, in line with its One-China policy.