Trump Reportedly Pitched US Military Hardware Sales to China
State Department official confirms current law prohibits such sales, and no plans exist to alter this policy.
President Donald Trump suggested to Chinese leader Xi Jinping that China could purchase American military hardware, according to a television interview with US Ambassador to China David Perdue.
Perdue stated on Fox News that Trump asked Xi if he would be interested in buying U.S. arms, drawing a parallel to sales made to other countries. "President Trump continues to say, 'Hey, we sell arms to other people around the world. He actually asked President Xi... would he like to buy some at one point,'" Perdue said.
However, a State Department official clarified that current law "prohibits arms sales to China." Another U.S. official added that there are no plans to sell weapons to China.
During the same interview, Perdue addressed concerns about delayed weapons and military aid to Taiwan. He indicated that Trump had approved $11 billion in arms sales to Taiwan last year and that discussions about further potential purchases are ongoing.
This reported pitch represents a significant departure from decades of U.S. foreign policy, which has largely viewed China as a primary global competitor and a potential military rival. Administrations from both parties have expressed concerns about China's rapidly expanding military capabilities.
Concerns over Taiwan's sovereignty have been a focal point, particularly amid China's assertive actions in the South and East China Seas. Trump's proposal comes at a time when U.S. officials have warned that Chinese state-backed defense firms are supplying Iran and Russia with sensitive technology and potentially lethal weaponry, leading to U.S. sanctions.
The U.S. defense sector is also facing production shortfalls, and a significant arms package for Taiwan, reported to be worth $14 billion, has been stalled within the State Department, despite approval from congressional leaders. Senators have urged the administration to proceed with these sales, which Trump himself acknowledged in a May interview were being held as a "negotiating chip" with Xi Jinping.