During an interview on Sunday, US Ambassador to China David Perdue stated that President Trump had proposed selling military equipment to China while hosting Chinese leader Xi Jinping at a Washington meeting held the previous week. Perdue recounted that Trump suggested the idea as part of broader discussions, noting the president has indicated willingness to sell arms to various nations globally.
The statement drew swift responses from US government officials seeking to clarify policy. The White House and State Department both issued statements emphasizing that US law prohibits arms sales to China and that no offer or proposal to sell weapons exists. Perdue himself had previously told CNBC on Friday that Trump’s Taiwan policy, including on military equipment sales, remained unchanged.
The remarks occurred amid ongoing discussions about a $14 billion arms sales package for Taiwan that has been pending approval for months. Trump previously characterized this package as a negotiating tool during a May meeting with Xi in Beijing, stating he was holding it in reserve as leverage in US-China dealings. Taiwan’s deputy foreign minister emphasized the island’s pressing security needs, noting that despite economic challenges, China continues expanding military capabilities.
Beijing has consistently opposed US arms transfers to Taiwan, which it views as a breakaway province, while Washington maintains its long-standing policy of strategic ambiguity regarding military intervention. The Taiwan Relations Act requires the US to supply Taiwan with adequate defensive military equipment. During the recent Washington summit, according to Chinese state media, Xi urged Trump to oppose “Taiwan independence” efforts.
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