Akshay DidwaniyaAmerican officials say Washington never offered arms to Beijing, the Wall Street Journal reports. They stress that US weapons sales to China are banned by law.
Officials Reject Claims of a Weapons Offer
American officials say Washington never offered to sell weapons to Beijing. The Wall Street Journal reported the denials on 28 September. The story puts US weapons sales to China back in the spotlight.
The Ambassador’s Fox News Interview
On Sunday, US Ambassador to China David Perdue spoke to Fox News. He said President Donald Trump had reportedly offered Chinese President Xi Jinping the chance to buy American weapons. Perdue did not say how Xi responded to the offer.
Officials Say No Plans Exist
The newspaper cited an American official who dismissed the idea. “The Trump administration has no plans to sell weapons to China,” the publication said, citing an American official.
The Law Bans Arms Sales to Beijing
A second official also commented for the Wall Street Journal. This official stressed that the law bans weapons sales to China. The official added that Washington had made no proposals to Beijing.
For now, officials insist that no such offer exists. The ambassador’s remarks drew attention because they touched on US weapons sales to China, which American law forbids.
Mayur Mohta
