Trump Offered to Sell American Arms to China’s Xi Jinping, Ambassador Says

President Trump asked Chinese leader Xi Jinping if he would like to buy American weapons during a state visit, according to U.S. Ambassador to China David Perdue. The disclosure on television prompted immediate pushback from the White House and the State Department, which confirmed that federal law prohibits arms sales to Beijing.

Television Interview Reveals Ambassador Disclosures

Ambassador Perdue revealed the exchange during an appearance on Fox News Sunday while discussing the diplomatic summit in Washington. President Trump continues to say, ‘Hey, we sell arms to other people around the world,’ Mr. Perdue said during the broadcast, as reported by The New York Times and Mediaite. He actually asked President Xi would he like to buy some at one point.

Perdue did not provide additional details regarding the conversation or reveal whether Xi responded to the inquiry. The ambassador defended the administration’s foreign policy record during the same interview, noting that Trump had sold 50% more arms to Taiwan than any other president since 1979. He framed the remarks as part of the president’s ongoing deal-making approach to international relations.

White House and State Department Rebuttal

Federal officials moved quickly to distance the administration from the ambassador’s account following the broadcast. When asked for comment, a White House official stated that the United States had no plans to sell military equipment to China.

The State Department issued a formal clarification addressing the legal framework surrounding military exports. U.S. law prohibits arms sales to China and there is no offer or plan to sell arms to China, the department said in a statement. The Chinese Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the ambassador’s remarks.

Military Rivalry and Export Restrictions

The disclosure highlights tensions surrounding the military relationship between the two superpowers. China maintains the world’s fastest-growing military, and U.S. officials across multiple administrations have warned of potential clashes in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly concerning Taiwan and territorial claims in the South and East China Seas.

United States law maintains strict prohibitions on military exports to Beijing. Those restrictions were significantly ratcheted up following the 1989 Tiananmen Square Massacre, placing China among a select group of nations subjected to a comprehensive American arms embargo. Furthermore, U.S. officials have previously accused Chinese defense companies of supplying dual-use equipment and satellite imagery to American adversaries like Iran and Russia.

Summit Outcomes and Future Diplomatic Engagement

Despite the controversy surrounding the weapons inquiry, Ambassador Perdue pointed to significant diplomatic takeaways from the three-day state visit concerning regional conflicts. According to Perdue, the discussions yielded Chinese support for preventing a nuclear weapon in Iran, maintaining an open Strait of Hormuz, and ensuring no tolls are imposed in the vital waterway.

Following the conclusion of the summit and Xi’s departure from the United States, President Trump characterized the meetings favorably. In a post on Truth Social, the president described the diplomatic gathering as one of friendship, strength, and success for both nations.