Trump proposes China buy U.S. weapons to ease objections over Taiwan

U.S. President Donald Trump has suggested to Chinese President Xi Jinping that Beijing buy American military equipment to ease China’s concerns about the weapons Washington sells to Taiwan.

The details were made public by U.S. Ambassador to Beijing David Perdue in an interview with Fox News. Perdue confirmed that Trump had made the proposal to Xi Jinping, but did not say when the conversation took place.

The ambassador said U.S. arms sales to Taiwan have been raised repeatedly in contacts between the two presidents. However, he stressed that Washington’s policy on the issue remains unchanged.

In December, the United States approved an arms package for Taiwan worth around $11.1 billion. China strongly opposes military supplies to the island, which it considers part of its territory.

Beijing has expressed its intention to reunify with Taiwan and has not ruled out the use of force. Meanwhile, the United States continues to strengthen the island’s defensive capabilities through arms sales.