The United States has decided to temporarily halt arms sales to Taiwan, prioritizing the allocation of military resources for operations related to the conflict with Iran. This decision was confirmed by acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao during a congressional hearing, where he emphasized that the pause is necessary to conserve munitions for U.S. military needs. Cao assured that the resumption of foreign military sales would be considered when deemed appropriate by the administration.
This suspension impacts a significant weapons package for Taiwan, which has been awaiting approval for several months. The approval process is expected to hinge on decisions from high-level officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Meanwhile, Taiwan’s presidential office has stated that it has not yet received any official notification regarding changes to the proposed arms deal.
The pause in arms sales comes amid heightened concerns in Taipei, especially following recent discussions between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, where Taiwan reportedly featured prominently. China’s government continues to oppose U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, viewing the island as part of its territory, and has consistently cautioned against foreign involvement. Beijing has also not ruled out the possibility of using force to assert its claims.
Adding to the uncertainty, President Trump has suggested that the arms packages could serve as a “negotiating chip” in ongoing talks with China, indicating that he will make a decision on the pending sales at a later date. Despite the current suspension, U.S. law under the Taiwan Relations Act mandates that Washington provide Taiwan with defensive military equipment, underscoring America’s commitment to Taiwan’s defense amid the geopolitical tensions.