[UPDATE] Trump denies asking Xi if China wanted US weapons, then says selling them is 'maybe' a good idea
He says Ambassador David Perdue was 'probably talking about Taiwan.'
Trump denied Ambassador to China David Perdue's account that he asked Xi Jinping whether China wanted to buy US weapons. Perdue was "probably talking about Taiwan," Trump said. Then he said China would "probably like to buy it," adding, "so maybe it's a good idea." US law bars arms sales to China, though the president can grant a national-interest exception, per SIPRI. The $14 billion Taiwan arms package is still on hold.
PREVIOUSLY
- Sep. 21 — US and Chinese officials opened talks in New York on trade, AI and critical minerals ahead of Xi's Washington visit.
- Sep. 22–23 — Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent pitched Beijing an emergency AI incident hotline; follow-up talks were set for Shenzhen in November.
- Sep. 27 — Xi left Washington with more Trump meetings planned but no movement on AI, Taiwan or the Iran war.
- Sep. 27 — Perdue said Trump asked Xi whether China wanted to buy US weapons. The administration said no sales were planned and denied stalling a Taiwan arms package to please Beijing.