WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump has recently defended the proposed U.S. arms sale to Taiwan during discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping, characterizing it as part of the routine arms transactions the U.S. conducts globally. In a notable exchange, Trump’s ambassador to China, David Perdue, revealed that Trump even inquired whether Xi would be interested in purchasing U.S. arms.
Perdue’s remarks came during an interview on “Fox News Sunday” shortly after Trump hosted Xi for a state visit. He noted that Trump’s mention of arms sales to Taiwan could significantly alter longstanding U.S. policy towards both China and Taiwan, potentially jeopardizing sensitive U.S. technology by exposing it to a rival nation. However, he did not clarify when Trump made this offer.
During the interview, host Shannon Bream raised concerns voiced by lawmakers from both parties regarding the delays in military aid packages and weapon deliveries to Taiwan, a self-governing democracy that faces ongoing threats from China. Bream queried whether these delays were a strategic move to placate the Chinese leadership, particularly following Xi’s visit with Trump.
In response, Perdue asserted that Trump has shown unprecedented support for Taiwan, stating, “He is as strong on Taiwan as I’ve ever seen anybody,” and confirmed that the U.S. has supplied Taiwan with a substantial amount of military hardware. He emphasized that discussions between Trump and Xi about future sales of U.S. weaponry to Taiwan are ongoing.
“But President Trump continues to say, ‘Hey, we sell arms to other people around the world,’” Perdue explained. “He actually asked President Xi, would he like to buy some, at one point.”
The legal framework governing U.S. relations with Taiwan mandates that the U.S. provide the island with the means to defend itself. While the U.S. does not officially recognize Taiwan as an independent nation, it remains its most significant informal ally and arms supplier. The U.S. government’s stance on military intervention in the event of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan, however, remains ambiguous.
China has consistently pressured the United States to cease its arms sales to Taiwan, with strong objections raised during previous summits, including a notable meeting between Trump and Xi in Beijing last May. Following that summit, the U.S. delayed a substantial arms package worth $14 billion, with Trump describing the sales as a “very good negotiating chip” in dealings with China.
In the recent discussions at the White House, Xi reportedly urged Trump to oppose any moves toward Taiwanese independence, according to accounts from Chinese state media.
In response to inquiries about Perdue’s comments, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun refrained from confirming the specifics but reiterated China’s commitment to strengthening its national defense based on its requirements, emphasizing a dedication to maintaining global peace and stability.
