President Donald Trump asked Chinese President Xi Jinping if China would be interested in purchasing American military equipment during recent state discussions in Washington, according to statements made by U.S. Ambassador to China David Perdue on Sunday, September 27, 2026.
Speaking during a television interview on Fox News Sunday, Perdue disclosed the unexpected proposal made by the American president during high-level bilateral talks between the two nations.
Perdue explained that Trump framed the suggestion around the existing scope of U.S. defense exports across the globe.
“President Trump continues to say, ‘Hey, we sell arms to other people around the world,'” said David Perdue, U.S. Ambassador to China. “He actually asked President Xi would he like to buy some at one point.”
An Unprecedented Diplomatic Pitch
The suggestion represents an unusual moment in foreign relations between Washington and Beijing. While the United States regularly sells military hardware to allied defense partners, exports of advanced American weaponry to China have long been restricted due to strategic security concerns and geopolitical tensions.
Perdue did not provide additional details regarding President Xi’s response or specify which weapons systems, if any, were mentioned during the conversation. However, the revelation highlights Trump’s transaction-focused approach to trade and international relations during bilateral summit meetings.
