President Trump asked Chinese President Xi Jinping if China wanted to buy American weapons, according to US ambassador to China David Perdue.
Multiple outlets reported the ambassador's account of the exchange, though details of when or where the conversation took place were not specified in the available reporting.
According to The Straits Times, the White House said through a US official that the United States has no plans to sell arms to China.
News organizations across the political spectrum covered the ambassador's disclosure, with some outlets noting the White House's subsequent clarification.
How each side covered it
Left
- Reports from AP and The New York Times centered on the ambassador's disclosure that Trump asked Xi about buying US arms.
“Trump Offered to Sell Arms to China, U.S. Ambassador Says” — The New York Times
Center
- The Straits Times and Financial Times reported the ambassador's account and included the White House's denial of any arms sale plans.
- Financial Times framed the story around Trump asking Xi if China wanted to buy American weapons.
“Trump offered to sell arms to China, US ambassador says” — The Straits Times
Right
- The New York Post highlighted ambassador David Perdue's direct account of Trump asking Xi if he'd like to buy American weapons.
“Trump asked China’s Xi Jinping if he’d ‘like to buy’ American weapons, US ambassador reveals” — New York Post
Questions readers ask
What did US ambassador David Perdue say about Trump and Xi?
US ambassador to China David Perdue said President Trump asked Chinese President Xi Jinping if China wanted to buy American weapons.
Did the White House confirm plans to sell arms to China?
No. According to The Straits Times, the White House said through a US official that the United States has no plans to sell arms to China.
Why does this report matter?
The claim that a US president raised the idea of selling American weapons to China, a strategic rival, drew attention across the political spectrum given the sensitivity of US-China relations.
What happens next?
The available reporting does not indicate any further US or Chinese government action beyond the White House's statement that there are no plans to sell arms to China.
Sources · 11 outlet reports
- Associated PressLeft-leaningTrump asked China’s president if he wants to buy US arms, ambassador says
- HuffPostLeft-leaningTrump Asked China's President If He Wants To Buy U.S. Arms, Ambassador Says
- The HinduLeft-leaningTrump asked China’s President if he wants to buy U.S. arms, Ambassador says
- The New York TimesLeft-leaningTrump Offered to Sell Arms to China, U.S. Ambassador Says
- Arab NewsCenterTrump offered to sell arms to China: US ambassador to Fox News
- Financial TimesCenterTrump asked Xi if China wanted to buy American weapons, US envoy says
- NewsNationCenterTrump asked China’s president if he wants to buy US arms, ambassador says
- The HillCenterTrump floated US weapons sales to Xi, ambassador says
- The Straits TimesCenterTrump offered to sell arms to China, US ambassador says
- New York PostRight-leaningTrump asked China’s Xi Jinping if he’d ‘like to buy’ American weapons, US ambassador reveals
- NewsmaxRight-leaningTrump Asked China's President If he Wants to Buy US Arms, Ambassador Says