Trump rejects envoy’s claim he offered US arms to China’s Xi
US president Donald Trump on Monday denied asking Chinese president Xi Jinping whether he wanted to buy American weapons, contradicting US Ambassador to China David Perdue, who said Trump had made such an offer to his Chinese counterpart. Trump appeared confused when a reporter asked him on Monday about Ambassador David Perdue’s remarks over the weekend, suggesting that the diplomat may have been referring to Taiwan rather than China, according to news agency AFP.
Trump said. He said China would probably be interested in buying US equipment, which he described as superior, adding, “So maybe it’s a good idea. “But President Trump continues to say, Hey, we sell arms to other people around the world,’” Perdue said. Spokesperson Guo Jiakun said Beijing had always strengthened its defence capabilities according to its needs and remained committed to maintaining world peace and stability.
The remarks came as the administration sought to distance itself from an assertion that could mark a major shift in longstanding US policy towards China. “To China? You mean to Taiwan? “I never heard of that one. I’m going to have to ask him,” he added. Trump then suggested such a proposal could make sense, while denying that the issue had been discussed with Xi. But we didn’t discuss it. He may have been talking about Taiwan. I think he was probably talking about Taiwan. “He actually asked President Xi, would he like to buy some, at one point. China’s foreign ministry did not confirm Perdue’s account.
Earlier reporting noted: Donald Trump on Monday denied asking Xi Jinping if he would like to buy American weapons, after the US ambassador to Beijing said the US president made the offer to his Chinese counterpart.