Trump asked Xi if China 'would like to buy' US weapons during White House summit, ambassador reveals

From the Newshound archive · first published 27 September 2026 · last updated 28 September 2026.

US Ambassador to China David Perdue stunned observers by revealing on Fox News that President Trump asked Xi Jinping whether China wanted to purchase American weapons during last week's state visit. Arms sales to China are banned under US law, and the State Department flatly denied any offer or plan exists. The admission came as Taiwan waits months for Trump to approve a $14bn arms package he has called a 'very good negotiating chip'. The White House did not clarify whether Trump was serious or simply trolling his Chinese counterpart.

Ambassador Perdue quoted Trump as saying 'we sell arms to other people around the world — he actually asked President Xi, would he like to buy some.'

The $14bn Taiwan arms sale remains on ice, paused amid trade talks and pressure on US stockpiles from the wars in Iran and Ukraine.

Taiwan had celebrated the summit's end with no deal on its status, but Perdue's remarks have now cast fresh doubt over America's commitment to the island's defence.

The IndependentTrump ‘asked China’s president’ if he wanted to buy US weapons The IndependentTrump offered to sell arms to China, US ambassador claims The SunTrump asked Xi to 'buy US weapons' as tyrant persists in 'panda diplomacy'The GuardianTrump asked Xi Jinping if China would like to buy US weapons, American ambassador says City A.M.Trump-Xi summit: Don’t be fooled, this was more than panda diplomacy ReutersBreakingviews - COMMENTARY: Trump-Xi summit finds new ways to disappoint APTrump asked China’s president if he wants to buy US arms, ambassador says NY PostTrump asked China’s Xi Jinping if he’d ‘like to buy’ American weapons, US ambassador reveals BBC NewsTrump-Xi summit: What wasn't said might matter the most

Read today's full feed at The Newshound →