President Trump offered to sell weapons to China during a state visit last week, Ambassador David Perdue revealed on Fox News Sunday. Perdue stated Trump asked Xi Jinping if he would like to buy American arms, adding the president frequently suggests the U.S. sells weapons globally. The White House quickly clarified there are no plans for such a sale, stating U.S. law prohibits arms exports to China.

This disclosure comes as Xi arrived in Washington, sparking bipartisan concern. Ryan Hass of Brookings noted the offer dispels any ambiguity regarding Trump's view of China as a security threat. Meanwhile, Trump has been withholding a $14 billion weapons sale to Taiwan required by law since 1979.

The package, approved by congressional leaders earlier this year, remains stalled at the State Department. Senators urged the president to move forward with the sale in a bipartisan letter. China, viewed as the U.S.'s greatest rival, possesses the world's fastest-growing military. U.S. officials have long warned of potential military clashes over Taiwan or aggressive actions in the South and East China Seas.

Chinese defense companies are alleged to support U.S. adversaries like Iran and Russia. The U.S. maintains its position as the dominant military power in the Asia-Pacific, though strength is fading relative to China as resources divert toward the Iran conflict.