The United States has decided to temporarily halt arms sales to Taiwan as it reallocates military resources for operations related to the ongoing Iran conflict, acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao announced during a congressional hearing. This pause aims to ensure that the U.S. military has sufficient munitions available for its current activities. However, Cao reassured that foreign military sales would resume once the administration deems it suitable.
This delay impacts a significant weapons package for Taiwan, which has been reportedly pending approval for several months. U.S. officials have indicated that the final decision on the matter will be made by high-ranking administration figures, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Meanwhile, Taiwan’s presidential office claims it has not received an official notification regarding any modifications to the proposed arms deal, although the news has generated concern in Taipei.
The situation is particularly delicate given the backdrop of recent discussions between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, during which Taiwan reportedly featured as a major topic. China, which views Taiwan as part of its territory, has consistently opposed U.S. arms sales to the island nation and has warned against foreign interference. Beijing’s stance includes not ruling out the use of force to assert its claims over Taiwan.
Adding to the uncertainty, President Trump has made statements that have cast doubt on the future of U.S. support for Taiwan. He has described the arms packages as potential “negotiating chips” in talks with China, indicating that he would make a decision on the pending sales at a later date. Despite these developments, U.S. law under the Taiwan Relations Act obligates Washington to provide Taiwan with defensive military equipment, ensuring ongoing military support.