The United States has decided to temporarily halt its arms sales to Taiwan, a move aimed at ensuring sufficient military resources remain available for operations related to the ongoing conflict involving Iran. This decision was announced by acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao during a congressional hearing. Cao emphasized that the suspension is meant to conserve munitions essential for U.S. military activities, assuring that foreign military sales would be resumed when deemed appropriate by the administration.
The pause impacts a significant weapons package for Taiwan, which has reportedly been pending approval for several months. The final call on this matter is expected to rest with senior administration figures, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Despite the delay, Taiwan’s presidential office stated it had not received any formal notification regarding changes to the proposed arms deal. The situation has nevertheless sparked concerns in Taipei, particularly following recent discussions between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, where Taiwan was said to be a central issue.
China has maintained its opposition to U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, viewing the island as a part of its territory. Beijing has persistently cautioned against foreign support for Taiwan and has not dismissed the possibility of using force. The halt in arms sales comes amid heightened tensions, as Trump’s recent remarks have added to the uncertainty surrounding future U.S. support for Taiwan. Trump referred to the weapons packages as a possible “negotiating chip” in talks with China, indicating he would make a decision on the pending sales at a later date.
Despite this pause, the U.S. is legally bound under the Taiwan Relations Act to provide Taiwan with defensive military equipment. This legislation underscores Washington’s commitment to support Taiwan’s defense capabilities, even amidst fluctuating diplomatic dynamics.