Trump floated US weapons sales to Xi, ambassador says

U.S. Ambassador to China David Perdue said Sunday that President Trump proposed selling weapons to China during recent meetings with the country’s president Xi Jinping.

“President Trump continues to say, ‘Hey, we sell arms to other people around the world,’” Perdue told host Shannon Bream on “Fox News Sunday.”

“He actually asked President Xi, would he like to buy some, at one point,’” the ambassador added.

Perdue’s comments are notable, considering tension between the U.S. and China in the last decade.

The two countries are competing in the race to develop advanced artificial intelligence and have opposing views over Taiwanese sovereignty. Beijing also has alliances with U.S. adversaries, like Iran.

On Friday, Trump confirmed he is going to meet with Xi an additional two times before the year is out.

In a Truth Social post, the president said that he will meet the Chinese president in his home country in November for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Meeting, and additionally a month later during the Group of 20 Summit in Miami.

“President Xi and Madam Peng have just left D.C., heading for China. The meeting was one of Friendship, Strength, and Success, for both China and the U.S.A.,” Trump said in his post. “Much has been, and will be, accomplished. I look forward to our next meeting!”

Xi’s second state visit to the U.S. ended on Friday. The Chinese president previously came to the U.S. during former President Obama’s administration 11 years ago.

Trump rolled out the red carpet for his Chinese counterpart during his recent visit, despite criticism from both Democrats and Republicans over the historically chilly U.S.-Chinese relationship.