During a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense hearing, Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao informed the committee that the U.S. is pausing a $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan to ensure the U.S. military has enough munitions for the war in Iran.
“Right now, we’re doing a pause in order to make sure we have the munitions we need for Epic Fury – which we have plenty,” Secretary Cao told the subcommittee, according to Al Jazeera. “But we’re just making sure we have everything, but then the foreign military sales will continue when the administration deems necessary.”
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio would make any decision on whether to proceed with the sale, Cao affirmed.
Taiwan Affirms There's No Confirmation From U.S.
According to the Associated Press (AP), Taiwanese presidential spokesperson Karen Kuo responded to Secretary Cao’s statements, confirming that 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.”
President Trump's Comments on Taiwan Following Beijing Summit
Secretary Cao’s assertions come after President Donald Trump and Chinese Leader Xi Jinping’s Beijing Summit, in which both parties spoke about U.S.-China relations regarding the self-governing island.
On the first day of the two-day meeting, Xi Jinping described Taiwan as the most significant issue in relations between the two, warning that it will determine whether bilateral ties will remain stable or escalate.
At the end of the summit, President Trump assured that Xi “does not want to see a fight for independence because that would be a very strong confrontation,” echoing the Chinese leader’s views that the island belongs to the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
The Arms Deals Approved For Taiwan
In December 2025, the U.S. State Department approved an $11.1 billion weapons package, which has yet to be received.
In January 2026, federal lawmakers also approved a separate $14 billion arms sale to the autonomous island, which is still awaiting President Trump’s approval before taking it to Congress.
President Donald Trump has acknowledged the political significance of the arms sale, calling the deal a “very good bargaining chip” in the U.S.’s dealings with the PRC, in an interview with FOX News.
