What happened
According to U.S. Ambassador to China David Perdue, President Donald Trump asked Chinese President Xi Jinping if he would be interested in purchasing American weapons during their recent meeting in Washington. However, Trump denied this claim on Monday, stating that he never discussed the topic with Xi.
A White House official and the State Department have both confirmed that the United States has no plans to sell arms to China, citing U.S. law that prohibits such sales. China's foreign ministry also responded, stating that the country strengthens its national defense capabilities based on its own needs and remains committed to maintaining world peace and stability.
The meeting between Trump and Xi took place amid ongoing tensions over trade negotiations and competition to develop advanced artificial intelligence. The two leaders have announced plans to meet again twice before the end of the year.
