World · Malaysia Bureau
Trump denies discussing US weapons sales with China's Xi
Former US President Donald Trump has dismissed reports that he offered to sell American military equipment to China, stating that while Beijing might be interested in US weapons, no such conversation took place between him and Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
LSN Malaysia ·
Trump addressed the allegations by emphasizing the quality of American defence technology, suggesting that China would naturally be attracted to US military hardware if given the opportunity. He contended that American weapons systems are superior to those available from other sources.
However, Trump categorically denied that he and Xi had engaged in discussions about arms sales during their recent interactions. The clarification comes amid heightened scrutiny of Trump's communications with foreign leaders and his approach to US-China relations.
The denial underscores the sensitive nature of US-China military relations, particularly regarding technology transfers and defence equipment sales. Washington has long maintained strict controls on exporting advanced military technology to Beijing, with such sales representing a contentious issue in bilateral relations.
Trump's comments reflect broader questions about how a potential future Trump administration might approach arms policy toward China, an issue that has drawn attention from policymakers and defence analysts across the region.