There is no U.S. offer to sell weapons to China on the record. Ambassador David Perdue said on 27 September 2026 that Trump had asked Xi Jinping whether China…
Nixon's visit ends two decades without contact. The U.S. 'acknowledges' the one-China position; Taiwan's future is left open.
Washington recognizes Beijing, then Congress passes a law committing the U.S. to make defensive arms available to Taiwan.
The U.S. said it intended to cut Taiwan arms sales gradually, but privately assured Taipei: no end date, and no consulting Beijing.
Reagan made China eligible for military sales in 1984. Peace Pearl would upgrade Chinese J-8II fighters with U.S. avionics.
The day after the crackdown, Bush suspended all military sales to China. About $600M in deals froze. Europe followed on 27 June.
Congress bars U.S. Munitions List licences to China, waivable only if the President reports it is in the national interest. Never lifted.
China fires missiles near Taiwan before its first direct presidential election; the U.S. sends two carrier groups.
The first Trump administration approves Taiwan's biggest aircraft purchase in decades. Deliveries slipped past 2024.
Eight sales: HIMARS and ATACMS, 60 M109A7 howitzers, ALTIUS drones, Javelin and TOW missiles, network software.
Trump called Taiwan arms a 'negotiating chip'. The acting Navy Secretary cited munitions needs for the Iran war.
The ambassador said Trump asked Xi whether China would like to buy U.S. weapons. No date, no list, no reply.
Trump: 'we didn't discuss it', maybe Perdue meant Taiwan, 'maybe it's a good idea'. State: U.S. law prohibits arms sales to China.
Koo says arms talks with the U.S. continue and policy is unchanged, while the $14B package stays on hold.
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