"I have never heard of that, I will have to ask him," President Donald Trump told reporters in the Oval Office, White House, on 28/9 when questioned about comments made by US Ambassador to China David Perdue.

"Perhaps they would want to buy because we make better equipment than they do, so that could be a good idea. But we have not discussed this," he added.

President Donald Trump in the Oval Office, White House, on 28/9. Photo: AP

Ambassador Perdue told Fox News on 27/9 that President Trump had made an unexpected offer to sell weapons to Beijing during Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to the US last week.

"President Trump often says, 'Hey, we sell weapons to many countries around the world.' In fact, the President asked President Xi if he wanted to buy," Perdue stated. "Discussions about other deals continue, President Trump and President Xi always talk about this whenever they meet."

Previously, when asked about Ambassador Perdue's statement, an anonymous US official told AFP news agency that "the US government has no plans to sell weapons to China."

Ambassador Perdue's statement caused a stir, as a law passed by the US Congress in 1990 completely prohibits the country from selling weapons to China. The law stipulates that the US President has the authority to suspend or waive the ban if it is determined to serve national security interests.

Perdue revealed this information during an interview about US policy toward Taiwan, which for months has been awaiting Trump's approval for a new 14 billion USD arms sale package. In 12/2025, the US approved an 11 billion USD arms deal for the island, the largest to date.

US arms sales to Taiwan have long been a contentious issue between Washington and Beijing. Under the Taiwan Relations Act, enacted decades ago, the US is responsible for providing the island with sufficient military equipment for self-defense. China views Taiwan as part of its territory awaiting unification, even by force if necessary.

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not respond directly when asked about the information from Ambassador Perdue, but affirmed that China "always strengthens its defense capabilities based on its own needs and maintains its commitment to protecting world peace and stability."

President Trump talks with President Xi at a state dinner in the East Room, White House, on the evening of 24/9. Photo: AP

President Trump has long maintained a strategically ambiguous stance on Taiwan, avoiding direct statements on whether the US would support the island if China attacked, though he continues to approve arms sales contracts.

During his visit to Washington, President Xi reiterated a warning that the US should "exercise caution" regarding the Taiwan issue. President Trump declined to disclose whether he discussed Taiwan with President Xi during the recent visit, instead focusing on emphasizing his good relationship with the Chinese leader as the two countries work to manage tensions.

Both sides confirmed they will meet again for the third and fourth times at the APEC Summit in Shenzhen, China, in 11, and the G20 Summit at Trump's Doral resort in Miami in 12.

Vu Hoang (According to Reuters, AFP, AP)