The United States has put a temporary hold on arms sales to Taiwan, prioritizing military resources for its operations related to the conflict with Iran. This decision, announced by acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao during a congressional hearing, aims to conserve munitions necessary for US military activities. Cao emphasized that foreign military sales would resume once deemed appropriate by the administration.
The pause affects a significant weapons package for Taiwan that has been pending approval for several months. US officials have noted that the ultimate decision on these sales will rest with senior administration figures, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Despite this, Taiwan’s presidential office stated it has not yet received an official update regarding any changes to the proposed arms deal.
This development has sparked concerns in Taipei, particularly following recent discussions between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, where Taiwan was reportedly a central issue. China consistently opposes US arms sales to Taiwan, viewing the island as a part of its territory. Beijing has issued repeated warnings against foreign support for Taiwan and has not ruled out the possibility of using force.
Adding to the uncertainty, President Trump has suggested that the arms packages could serve as a “negotiating chip” in talks with China, indicating that he would make a decision on pending sales at a later time. Nevertheless, under the Taiwan Relations Act, the United States is legally obliged to supply Taiwan with defensive military equipment.