Trump offered to sell arms to China: US ambassador to Fox News - EWN

WASHINGTON - US President Donald Trump offered to sell arms to Beijing in response to concern over weapons sales to Taiwan, the US ambassador to China said in a Fox News interview that aired Sunday.

China claims Taiwan is part of its territory, and US arms sales to the self-ruled island have long been a thorny issue between Washington and Beijing.

The United States is required by law to supply Taiwan, which has a democratically elected president and legislature, with weapons for its defence.

US Ambassador to China David Perdue said the issue was raised again when Chinese President Xi Jinping visited the United States last week.

"President Trump continues to say, 'Hey, we sell arms to other people around the world.' He actually asked President Xi -- would he like to buy some? -- at one point," Perdue said in the interview that aired on Sunday.

"There are continuing conversations about other sales, (Trump) and President Xi talk about that every time they get together," Perdue said, adding the US position has not changed.