Trump Offered to Sell Arms to China, Experts Warn

Former President Donald Trump reportedly offered to sell weapons to China during a summit with President Xi Jinping in Washington, a proposition that foreign policy experts contend undermines United States warnings about China's growing military capabilities. David Purdue, the U.S. ambassador to China, suggested in a "Fox News Sunday" interview that U.S. weaponry is available to numerous countries, including China, and stated that Trump had inquired if President Xi would be interested in purchasing arms. The White House has since clarified that the U.S. government has no current plans to sell weapons to China. This statement has perplexed foreign policy analysts, who point out the contradiction with sanctions and trade restrictions previously imposed on China by the Trump administration. Furthermore, these experts highlighted China's role in supplying munitions and military intelligence to Iran, and recent reports indicating China's acquisition of sensitive F-35 fighter jet components that could potentially neutralize U.S. stealth technology. Zhiqun Zhu, a professor of political science and international relations at Bucknell University, expressed bewilderment at the suggestion, stating to Fortune, "You would not [want to] help China to modernize its military and turn against yourself," particularly given the intense strategic competition between the two global powers. Experts also noted that while Trump has characterized China as a strategic competitor, he has also expressed personal affinity for authoritarian leaders such as Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin of Russia, and Kim Jong-un of North Korea. This perceived prioritization of personal relationships with adversaries over U.S. national security interests and alliances has been a recurring theme. The offer to sell arms to China, if accurate, would represent a significant departure from established U.S. foreign policy and security doctrines, potentially signaling a willingness to overlook perceived threats in favor of transactional relationships. The implications of such a sale, even if not pursued, raise concerns about the reliability of U.S. security commitments and its strategic posture in the Indo-Pacific region. The U.S. State Department did not immediately respond to Fortune's request for comment on the matter. The ambassador's remarks suggest a potential divergence in approach regarding arms sales and international security, with implications for global stability and U.S. diplomatic relations.