Ambassador says Trump asked Xi if China wants U.S. weapons

David Perdue said President Trump asked Xi Jinping whether China would like to buy U.S. arms.

Perdue said Trump describes U.S. arms sales as sales Washington also makes to other countries.

The White House told the New York Times the United States has no plans to sell arms to China.

The State Department said U.S. law prohibits arms sales to China and that there is no offer or plan to sell them.

A roughly $14 billion U.S. arms package for Taiwan is still awaiting approval.

In May, after meeting Xi in Beijing, Trump kept the Taiwan arms package on hold.

Trump has described Taiwan arms sales as a negotiating chip with China.

In December the United States unveiled a record multibillion-dollar arms sale to Taiwan.

U.S. law requires Washington to provide Taiwan with weapons to defend itself.

The United States has long left unclear whether it would defend Taiwan if China invaded.

China regards Taiwan as its own territory.

Beijing has pressed the United States to stop arms sales to Taiwan.

During last week's Washington talks, Xi urged the United States to oppose Taiwan independence, Chinese state media said.

Chinese state media said Xi hoped the United States would handle Taiwan with prudence.

Perdue said U.S. policy on Taiwan, including arms sales, has not changed.

Perdue said Trump and Xi keep discussing further arms sales.

Taiwan's deputy foreign minister Chen Ming-chi said Taiwan faces a severe situation in the strait.

Chen Ming-chi said China is still building military capacity even though its economy is declining.

Chen Ming-chi said the United States understands Taiwan's defense needs.