Trump Asked Xi About Buying US Weapons: Ambassador Reveals 2026

Trump asked Xi Jinping if China would like to buy US weapons, according to US Ambassador to China David Perdue, a stunning revelation that could reshape US-China relations and Taiwan's defense outlook. The claim, made during a Fox News interview on Sunday, highlights the unconventional diplomacy of former President Donald Trump and raises fresh questions about Washington's strategic ambiguity on Taiwan.

The Ambassador's Revelation: Trump Asked Xi About Buying US Weapons

David Perdue, the US ambassador to China, told Fox News that during a recent meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Trump suggested selling American weapons to China. "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. The comment came during a discussion about US policy on Taiwan, which has been awaiting Trump's approval of a new $14 billion arms sales package.

This extraordinary claim underscores Trump's transactional approach to foreign policy, where traditional alliances and strategic rivals are often viewed through a business lens. It also raises eyebrows given China's longstanding opposition to US arms sales to Taiwan, which Beijing considers a breakaway province.

Taiwan Arms Sales: A $14 Billion Package in Limbo

The revelation comes amid uncertainty over a record multi-billion dollar arms deal for Taiwan unveiled in December last year. A new $14 billion package has been stalled for months, awaiting Trump's approval. In May, during a meeting with Xi in Beijing, Trump reportedly described the Taiwan arms sales package as a "very good negotiating chip" in dealings with China.

Under the decades-old Taiwan Relations Act, the US is required to provide Taipei with sufficient military equipment to defend itself. However, Washington has long maintained a strategically ambiguous stance on whether it would defend Taiwan in the event of an invasion. Beijing has repeatedly said it "resolutely opposes" Washington's arms sales to the island democracy and has not renounced the use of force to take it.

Key Takeaways

• Trump asked Xi if China would buy US weapons, per Ambassador David Perdue.
• A $14 billion Taiwan arms sales package remains stalled, with Trump calling it a "negotiating chip."
• The US maintains strategic ambiguity on defending Taiwan under the Taiwan Relations Act.
• China opposes US arms sales to Taiwan, viewing it as a breakaway province.

Comparing US Arms Sales to Taiwan and Potential Sales to China

To understand the significance of Trump's alleged offer, consider the existing arms sales to Taiwan and the hypothetical sale to China. The table below compares key aspects.

While selling weapons to China would be a radical departure from decades of US policy, it aligns with Trump's desire to use trade and arms as bargaining tools. However, such a move would likely face fierce opposition in Congress and among US allies in the Indo-Pacific.

Implications for US-China Relations and Taiwan's Security

The revelation adds another layer of unpredictability to US-China relations, already strained over trade, technology, and territorial disputes. Taiwan, which has been waiting for the $14 billion arms package, may feel increasingly insecure if the US prioritizes deals with Beijing. Xi urged Trump to oppose Taiwan independence during their Washington meeting last week, according to reports.

Analysts suggest that Trump's comment may have been offhand or a negotiating tactic rather than a serious offer. Nevertheless, it signals that Trump views arms sales as a flexible instrument of statecraft. For Taiwan, the stalled package is a pressing concern, as it seeks to modernize its military amid growing pressure from China.

As the 2024 election approaches, Trump's foreign policy pronouncements will continue to draw scrutiny. Whether the US would actually sell weapons to China remains highly unlikely, but the fact that it was raised at the highest level illustrates the unconventional nature of Trump's diplomacy.

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