Archive · 29 Sep 2026
Trump Denies Offering Xi Jinping a Sale of American Weapons
Donald Trump was asked whether he offered to sell American weapons to Xi Jinping.
Xi Jinping is the leader of China.
Trump said he did not make that offer.
He said he had never heard of the claim.
The claim came from David Purdue, the US ambassador to Beijing.
Purdue reportedly said Trump made the offer to Xi.
Trump also said China might like American equipment.
He said American equipment is better, in his view.
The two accounts about the conversation are different.
Donald Trump denied asking Chinese President Xi Jinping whether he wanted to buy American weapons.
The denial followed comments by US ambassador to Beijing David Purdue.
Purdue reportedly said Trump made the offer to Xi Jinping.
Trump said he had never heard of the claim.
Trump added that China might want US equipment because he believes it is better.
- Who
- Donald Trump, Xi Jinping, and US ambassador David Purdue.
- What
- A dispute over whether Trump offered to sell American weapons to Xi.
- When
- Monday.
- Where
- The Oval Office; the alleged discussion involved Trump and Xi Jinping.
- Why
- Trump was responding to comments attributed to David Purdue about the alleged offer.
Ambassador's Account
Trump's Account
Whether an arms offer was made
Ambassador's Account
David Purdue reportedly said Trump offered Xi Jinping the opportunity to buy American weapons.
Trump's Account
Trump denied making the offer, saying he had never heard of the claim and that the matter was not discussed.
China's possible interest in US equipment
Ambassador's Account
The ambassador's reported comments indicate that China was presented with the possibility of buying American weapons.
Trump's Account
Trump said China might want American equipment because he believes US equipment is better, while still denying that the offer was discussed.
- Person denying the claim
- Donald Trump
- Other leader mentioned
- Xi Jinping
- Ambassador cited
- David Purdue, the US ambassador to Beijing
- Subject of alleged offer
- American weapons
- Trump's response
- He said he had never heard of the claim and that the offer was not discussed.
- Trump's view of US equipment
- He said American equipment is better and suggested China might want to buy it.