What happened
US President Trump reportedly asked Chinese leader Xi Jinping if he was interested in buying American weapons, according to US Ambassador to China David Perdue. This revelation came after Xi's three-day visit to the US, where the two leaders discussed arms sales to Taiwan, a self-governing island claimed by China. The Trump administration had previously paused a $14 billion weapons sale to Taiwan due to trade negotiations and pressure on US stockpiles.
The US Ambassador to China stated that President Trump has already approved $11 billion in arms sales to Taiwan and that conversations about other sales are ongoing. The Taiwan issue is a longstanding point of contention in US-China relations, with Beijing demanding that countries adhere to a 'one China' principle and the US maintaining a policy of strategic ambiguity on potential military intervention.
During their talks, Trump also pressed Xi on China's support for Iran, receiving assurances that Beijing was adjusting its policy. The US Ambassador noted that while some improvements have been seen, it is an ongoing effort to ensure China stays out of the issue.
