The United States has paused a $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan, citing the need to preserve weapons stockpiles amid ongoing military operations linked to the Iran conflict.
US acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao told lawmakers during a Senate hearing on Thursday that the decision was intended to ensure sufficient munitions remain available for a US-Israel joint operation in Iran referred to as “Epic Fury.”
Cao said the suspension was temporary and that foreign military sales to Taiwan would resume when the administration considers it appropriate. He added that he had not been in contact with Taiwanese officials regarding the pause.
“Right now we’re doing a pause in order to make sure we have the munitions we need for Epic Fury,” Cao said, noting that the United States still has sufficient supplies.
The announcement comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions, following remarks by US President Donald Trump, who described the Taiwan arms package as “a very good negotiating chip” in relations with China and said a final decision would be made soon.
A spokesperson for Taiwan’s presidential office said Taipei had not received any formal notification regarding changes to the arms deal.
The move is expected to heighten tensions with China, which claims Taiwan as its territory and has consistently opposed US arms sales to the island. Beijing has warned that such deals risk escalating instability across the Taiwan Strait.
Taiwan has increased defence spending in recent years in response to rising Chinese military pressure, with President Lai Ching-te reiterating that US arms support remains critical to regional security.
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