The United States has temporarily halted a $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan, ensuring sufficient weapons for the ongoing conflict in Iran, acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao stated. Cao confirmed the pause during a Senate hearing, days after President Donald Trump appeared uncertain about the deal following meetings with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
Taiwan's presidential office spokesperson told reporters Friday that they had not received information regarding "US adjustments to the arms sale." Beijing, which considers self-governed Taiwan its territory and has not ruled out force to reclaim it, has long opposed US arms sales to the island.
Munitions for "Epic Fury"
"Right now we're doing a pause in order to make sure we have the munitions we need for Epic Fury - which we have plenty," Cao said Thursday, referring to the code name for the US-Israel joint military operation in Iran.
He added, "We're just making sure we have everything, but then the foreign military sales will continue when the administration deems necessary." Cao also noted he had "not spoken to the Taiwanese" about the delay.
The $14 billion package, awaiting Trump's approval for months, includes air defense missiles like Lockheed Martin's PAC-3 and surface-to-air missile systems, according to a March Reuters report. Trump told Fox News last week the package served as "a very good negotiating chip" with China. He indicated he would "make a determination over the next fairly short period" on the sale.
Diplomatic Departures
"Right now we're doing a pause in order to make sure we have the munitions we need for Epic Fury - which we have plenty," Cao said Thursday, referring to the code name for the US-Israel joint military operation in Iran.
These comments followed a Beijing summit where Xi informed Trump that Taiwan was the most critical issue between the two nations. Trump later told reporters he discussed US arms sales to Taiwan "in great detail" with Xi, despite a 1982 US assurance to Taiwan not to consult Beijing on the matter. Trump also plans to speak directly with Taiwanese leader Lai Ching-te about the sale, a move that would break with diplomatic tradition and likely anger Beijing. US and Taiwanese leaders have not spoken directly for decades, though Trump spoke with Lai's predecessor, Tsai Ing-wen, as president-elect.
Beijing lodged strong opposition last December when the US approved an $11 billion arms sale to Taiwan, one of the largest such packages ever.
China's foreign ministry then warned it would "accelerate the push towards a dangerous and violent situation across the Taiwan Strait." Taiwan's leader Lai Ching-te has emphasized that US arms sales are a "key factor in maintaining regional peace and stability," with Taiwan significantly increasing its defense spending under his leadership due to growing military pressure from China.
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