According to sources, US President Donald Trump asked his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping if Beijing was interested in purchasing American arms during their meeting in Washington last week. This information was revealed by David Perdue, the US Ambassador to China, in an interview with Fox News on Sunday, September 27, 2026. The conversation between the two leaders took place amidst heightened tensions between Washington and Beijing over arms sales to Taiwan.
The US Ambassador to China made this statement as tensions between the US and China continue to escalate, particularly over the issue of arms sales to Taiwan. The Chinese government considers Taiwan to be part of its territory and regularly opposes the delivery of American arms to Taipei. On the other hand, US legislation requires that the US provide Taiwan with the means necessary for its defense. This has created a delicate situation in the relations between the two global powers.
The request made by Trump to Xi Jinping was presented in the context of US arms sales to various regions around the world. The US President reportedly asked Xi Jinping if China would also be interested in purchasing American military equipment. However, the exact circumstances of this exchange have not been detailed. The Chinese President has not publicly stated his response, but given China's rapid military modernization, it is unlikely that they would pursue this option.
This development comes as a new shipment of American arms to Taiwan remains pending. In December 2025, Donald Trump approved an initial package of arms worth around $11 billion. A second program, estimated to be worth $14 billion, has yet to be validated by the authorities. The US President had previously stated that this dossier was being used as a bargaining chip with Beijing, and it likely played a role in the recent diplomatic visit by the Chinese leader to the US.
The US State Department has since clarified that no arms sales to China are currently planned. This statement was made in response to Perdue's comments, which may have surprised some given the current tensions between the US and China. The situation remains sensitive, with multiple global conflicts, including the wars in Ukraine and Iran, adding to the complexity of the issue.
The conversation between Trump and Xi Jinping took place during a historic visit by the Chinese leader to the US. The two leaders discussed various issues, including Taiwan, which remains a point of contention between the two nations. The US has a long-standing commitment to providing defense support to Taiwan, which China sees as a challenge to its sovereignty.
The implications of Trump's request to Xi Jinping are still unclear, but it has sparked significant interest given the current state of US-China relations. The US and China have significant economic and strategic interests, and the situation around Taiwan remains a critical point of tension between the two nations. The US will need to navigate this complex situation carefully to avoid escalating tensions further.
Key points
- Trump asked Xi Jinping if China wanted to buy US arms during their meeting in Washington last week.
- The US and China have significant tensions over arms sales to Taiwan, which China considers part of its territory.
- A new shipment of American arms to Taiwan remains pending, with a second program worth $14 billion yet to be validated.
