The United States has decided to temporarily halt arms sales to Taiwan, focusing instead on maintaining sufficient military resources for ongoing operations related to the conflict with Iran. Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao announced this decision during a congressional hearing, emphasizing that the pause is necessary to ensure munitions are available for US military activities. He assured that foreign military sales would resume once the administration deems it suitable.
This decision impacts a significant weapons package for Taiwan, which has been awaiting approval for several months. US officials have indicated that the final determination on the arms sale will be made by senior administration figures, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Meanwhile, Taiwan’s presidential office stated that they have not received any formal notification regarding changes to the proposed arms deal. However, this development has sparked concerns in Taipei, especially after recent discussions between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, where Taiwan was reportedly a central issue.
China has consistently opposed US arms sales to Taiwan, viewing the island as a part of its territory. Beijing has repeatedly cautioned against foreign support for Taiwan, not ruling out the use of force if necessary. The ongoing tensions between the US and China over Taiwan have added a layer of complexity to the situation, as Beijing continues to express its disapproval of any military support provided to the island.
Adding to the uncertainty, President Trump has suggested that the weapons packages could serve as a “negotiating chip” in discussions with China. He mentioned that a decision on the pending sales would be made at a later date. Despite the current pause in arms sales, US law under the Taiwan Relations Act mandates that Washington must provide Taiwan with defensive military equipment, underscoring the longstanding commitment to the island’s defense.