Trump asked Xi about US arms purchase

Ambassador David Perdue said Trump framed a pending US arms sale to Taiwan as ordinary global business during Xi Jinping’s visit, then asked whether China wanted US weapons. Perdue said discussions on future Taiwan sales continued. The State Department later issued a clarification, CNA reported.

• 1 pending saleUS arms sale to Taiwan
• 1 clarificationissued after ambassador’s remarks

Q1

Why do Taiwan arms sales matter?

Washington does not recognize Taiwan as a country, but US law requires it to provide the island weapons for defense.

Q2

Why does Beijing oppose the sales?

China regards Taiwan as its territory, while Taiwan has its own elected president and legislature, making US weapons transfers a sovereignty issue.

Q3

What concerned US lawmakers?

Lawmakers from both parties raised concerns that aid packages and weapons orders for Taiwan were delayed during the diplomatic engagement.

Q4

Would China buying US arms change policy?

A completed sale would depart from generations of US policy toward China and Taiwan and could expose US technology to a potential adversary.