Taiwan's government says US hasn't notified it of any pause in a planned
$14B arms sale
[May 23, 2026]
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Taiwan hasn't been notified of any pause in a
planned $14 billion U.S. arms sale to the self-governing island, a
government official said Friday, after the acting U.S. Navy secretary
told a Senate committee in Washington that some foreign military sales
were being delayed to ensure the American military has enough munitions
for the Iran war.
Days after U.S. President Donald Trump raised doubts about continuing
arms sales to Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory, acting
U.S. Navy Secretary Hung Cao said Thursday that the sales would resume
when the administration considers it appropriate.
“Right now we’re doing a pause in order to make sure we have the
munitions we need for ‘Epic Fury,’” Cao told the U.S. Senate
Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, referring to the Trump
administration's name for the Iran operation. “Then the foreign military
sales will continue when the administration deems necessary.”
Taiwan's authorities have seen the reports, “but currently there is no
information regarding any adjustments the U.S. will make to this arms
sale,” Taiwanese presidential spokesperson Karen Kuo said Friday when
asked about Cao’s comments.
China sees Taiwan as a breakaway province to be brought under its
control by force if necessary. Like other countries that maintain formal
diplomatic ties with Beijing, the U.S. doesn't recognize Taiwan as a
country, but Washington remains the island’s strongest backer and arms
supplier.
Trump’s Republican administration authorized an $11 billion weapons
package for Taipei in December, but it has yet to move forward. American
lawmakers also approved a separate $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan in
January, though the deal can't proceed until Trump formally submits it
to U.S. Congress.
In an interview with Fox News on his way back to the United States from
last week’s trip to Beijing, Trump said that arms sales to Taiwan are “a
very good negotiating chip” in Washington’s dealings with China.
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In this photo released by the Taiwan Presidential Office, Taiwan's
President Lai Ching-te speaks during a press conference on "Taiwan-U.S.
Economic Prosperity Partnership" in Taipei, Taiwan on Feb. 3, 2026.
(Taiwan Presidential Office via AP, File)
On Wednesday, marking his two years in office, Taiwanese President
Lai Ching-te said that if given the chance, he would tell Trump to
continue U.S. arms purchases, which Lai called essential for peace.
China warns US over Taiwan
When asked about Cao's comments, Chinese Foreign Ministry
spokesperson Guo Jiakun said that “China’s opposition to the U.S.
arms sale to China’s Taiwan region is consistent, clear-cut and
resolute.”
Last week, during Trump's visit to Beijing, Chinese President Xi
Jinping issued a strong warning, telling him that the “Taiwan
question” is the most important issue in U.S.-China relations and
that the two nations could “have clashes and even conflicts,” if the
issue isn't handled properly.
Trump later told reporters that he needed to talk to the person who
is running Taiwan, without naming Lai, who Beijing deems a
separatist.
Trump and Lai holding talks likely would anger China, which
typically responds strongly to visits to Taiwan by U.S. politicians.
Kuo, the Taiwan presidential spokesperson, said Friday there was no
more information about a potential conversation between Lai and
Trump.
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