"President Donald Trump said, 'We sell weapons to countries worldwide.' At one point during the meeting, the president actually asked Chinese President Xi Jinping if he wanted to buy some US weapons," US Ambassador to China David Perdue said in an interview on 27/9, referring to discussions between the two leaders last week.
Ambassador Perdue's statement caused a stir because 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 can suspend or waive the ban if determined to serve national security interests.
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US President Donald Trump (left) shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping at a state dinner at the White House on 24/9. AP |
US President Donald Trump (left) shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping at a state dinner at the White House on 24/9. AP
Perdue disclosed the information in an interview about US policy toward Taiwan, which has been awaiting Trump's approval for a new 14 billion USD arms package for several months. In 12/2025, the US approved an 11 billion USD arms deal, its largest ever, for the island that China claims as part of its territory.
When visiting Beijing in May, Trump told Xi that he was temporarily postponing this arms deal, describing it as "a very good negotiating chip" in relations with China.
Following Perdue's interview, the White House stated that the US has no plans to sell weapons to China. The US Department of State also issued a statement affirming that "US law prohibits the sale of weapons to China and there are no offers or plans" for such a move.
Beijing has not yet commented on the information.
Washington has long maintained a policy of strategic ambiguity regarding whether it would defend Taiwan if the island were attacked. However, under the Taiwan Relations Act, enacted decades ago, the US is responsible for providing the island with sufficient military equipment for self-defense.
Beijing has repeatedly stated its "firm opposition" to Washington's arms sales to Taiwan and affirmed it has not renounced the possibility of using force to unify the island. During their meeting in Washington last week, Xi urged Trump to oppose "Taiwan independence."
The head of the White House has not further mentioned arms sales to Taiwan since the summit with the Chinese leader last week, only saying on 26/9 that Xi understood his stance on the Taiwan issue.
In an interview on 25/9, Ambassador Perdue stated that Trump's policy toward Taiwan, including the issue of arms sales, remains unchanged.
Huyen Le (According to Reuters, Guardian)
