The United States has temporarily halted arms sales to Taiwan to ensure sufficient military resources are available for operations related to the Iran conflict, according to acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao. This decision, announced during a congressional hearing, aims to preserve munitions for current U.S. military needs. Cao noted that foreign military sales would resume when the administration deems it appropriate.
This pause impacts a significant weapons package for Taiwan that has been pending approval for several months. U.S. officials have indicated that the final decision will rest with senior administration leaders, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Meanwhile, Taiwan’s presidential office stated it has not received any official notification regarding alterations to the proposed arms deal, although the situation has stirred concerns in Taipei, especially following recent talks between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, where Taiwan reportedly featured prominently.
China remains opposed to U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, viewing the island as part of its territory. Beijing has consistently warned against foreign support for Taiwan, not ruling out the use of force as a response. The recent pause in arms sales adds to the complexities of the situation, as China’s stance remains firm against what it perceives as external interference.
President Trump’s recent comments have further clouded the future of U.S. support for Taiwan. He has described the weapons packages as potential “negotiating chips” in discussions with China, indicating that he would make a decision on the pending sales later. Despite this uncertainty, U.S. law, through the Taiwan Relations Act, mandates that Washington provides Taiwan with defensive military equipment.