The United Nations and African Union maintain that the Darfur conflict is winding down and that the mission should be trimmed.

Trump's national security adviser downplayed the significance of the meeting, one of nine such side meetings for the U.S. president over two days.

"Beijing can now deploy military assets, including combat aircraft and mobile missile launchers, to the Spratly Islands at any time," it said.

The fall of Mosul would in effect mark the end of the Iraqi half of the IS caliphate, although the group still controls territory west and south of the city.

The Trump administration has formally notified Congress of the defense sales comprised of seven parts, a U.S. official said.