Acting US Navy Secretary Hung Cao announced on Thursday that arms sales to Taiwan have been paused to ensure the American military has sufficient munitions for its operations in Iran, referred to as Epic Fury. During a congressional hearing, Cao stated that the pause was necessary to secure required munitions, though he noted that they currently have plenty.
The announcement concerns a massive $14 billion weapons package that has been awaiting sign-off from President Donald Trump for months. These remarks come as President Trump has given mixed signals regarding the sale and has cast doubt over the enduring support of the United States for Taiwan.
The government of Taiwan says it has not been formally notified of any pause in the planned arms sale. This lack of notification has led to growing concerns in Taipei regarding Washington's commitment to the security of the self-governing island.
While the United States remains the strongest backer and arms supplier for Taiwan, it does not recognize the island as a country, mirroring the policy of other nations that maintain formal diplomatic ties with Beijing.