Trump's unusual proposal to China's president: "Want to buy American weapons?"

The US ambassador to China revealed that Trump asked Xi Jinping if he would like to purchase American weapons. The White House denied any plan for such a sale, citing the legal ban. The background: a delayed arms deal to Taiwan, China's military buildup, and the erosion of US power in Asia due to the war in Iran.

The US ambassador to China revealed that President Donald Trump asked Chinese President Xi Jinping if he would like to purchase American weapons. The White House quickly denied the existence of any plans to sell weapons to China, citing the American law prohibiting it. The publication comes amid growing frustration in Washington over China's rapid military buildup and its ties with US rivals. Officials estimate that Chinese defense companies are providing Iran and Russia with dual-use equipment and satellite imagery. Meanwhile, the US military power in Asia is being eroded due to the diversion of resources to the war in Iran.