WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is disputing the account given by U.S. Ambassador to China David Perdue that Trump asked Chinese President Xi Jinping whether Beijing was interested in purchasing American weapons, putting the president’s comments at odds with those of his own ambassador.

When questioned Monday about Perdue’s remarks from the weekend, Trump initially appeared to suggest that the ambassador may have been referring to Taiwan rather than China. Trump then indicated that extending such an offer to Beijing could potentially be worthwhile, saying “maybe it’s a good idea” to make such an offer to China.

The disagreement comes as the Trump administration faces questions over its broader strategy toward Beijing. The conflicting accounts over potential U.S. arms sales highlight uncertainty surrounding Washington’s China policy, following Xi’s highly publicized state visit to the United States last week. During that visit, Trump appeared to secure limited movement on several major issues.

Perdue discussed the matter during an appearance with Shannon Bream on Fox News Channel’s “Fox News Sunday” several days after the Trump-Xi summit. The ambassador did not say exactly when the alleged offer was made. Such a proposal would represent a major departure from longstanding U.S. policy toward China and Taiwan and could raise concerns about sensitive American military technology potentially reaching a geopolitical rival.

Trump administration distances itself from ambassador’s remarks

The State Department sought Monday to clarify that the administration has no intention of selling American weapons to China. A department spokesperson stated that “U.S. law prohibits arms sales to China and there is no offer or plan to sell arms to China.”

Trump appeared to distance himself from Perdue’s account later in the day when reporters asked him about the ambassador’s remarks.

“To China? You mean to Taiwan?” he said when a reporter asked him about Perdue’s account.

Trump then indicated that he was unfamiliar with the specific account attributed to Perdue and said he would seek clarification from the ambassador.

“I never heard of that one. I’m going to have to ask him,” Trump said.