In a startling revelation that has sparked diplomatic confusion, the United States Ambassador to China claimed that President Donald Trump offered to sell American weapons to Beijing—a proposition that would directly violate longstanding US law.
Ambassador’s Controversial Statement
Ambassador David Perdue made the assertion during a television interview with Fox News, stating that Trump had raised the possibility of arms sales to China in response to Chinese concerns about American weapons being supplied to Taiwan.
“The president Trump continues to say: ‘Well, we sell weapons to other countries around the world,'” Perdue said. “He even asked President Xi at one point if he wanted to buy some.”
The ambassador did not specify when this conversation between the two leaders allegedly took place, but added that “there are ongoing discussions about other sales” and that Trump and Xi “talk about it every time they meet.”
White House and State Department Push Back
The ambassador’s remarks have generated significant controversy in Washington, prompting immediate pushback from the administration.
Contacted by The New York Times, the White House reaffirmed that the United States has no intention of selling weapons to China, effectively contradicting its own ambassador’s statement.
The State Department issued a formal statement clarifying the legal framework governing such transactions:
- US legislation explicitly prohibits the sale of weapons to China
- No offer or plan for such sales exists
- An arms embargo has been in place since the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown
Legal Constraints and Strategic Implications
Since 1989, both the United States and the European Union have maintained an arms embargo on Beijing. The prohibition reflects the broader strategic reality that China is widely regarded in Washington as America’s primary economic, military, and diplomatic rival.
The timing of Perdue’s comments is particularly notable given that a recent meeting between Trump and Xi at the White House concluded without significant breakthroughs in bilateral relations.
Taiwan Concerns Intensify
The revelation is likely to cause particular anxiety in Taiwan, where American support for the island’s defense remains a critical flashpoint in US-China relations.
Under the Taiwan Relations Act, the United States is legally obligated to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself. In December, Washington approved $11.1 billion in arms sales to Taiwan, drawing sharp criticism from Beijing.
China has repeatedly warned Taiwan that “seeking independence by relying on the United States or through military force constitutes a dead end.”
Perdue emphasized that the Trump administration had sold “more weapons to Taiwan than any other president since 1979.” However, Trump has also delayed approval of a $14 billion security package for Taiwan, and four Republican senators reportedly sent a letter to his administration before the Xi summit urging swift action on the matter—a request that went unanswered.
