The United States has temporarily paused a proposed $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan to ensure sufficient military supplies for ongoing operations linked to the Iran conflict, acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao said during a Senate hearing.
The package, awaiting approval from President Donald Trump, reportedly includes advanced air defence missiles and surface-to-air missile systems. Cao said the pause is aimed at ensuring adequate munitions for “Epic Fury,” the reported US-Israel military operation in Iran, adding that foreign military sales would resume when deemed necessary.
Taiwan’s presidential office stated it had received no official information regarding changes to the arms deal. The proposed sale has already sparked concern in Beijing, which claims Taiwan as its territory and strongly opposes US military support to the island.
Trump recently described the arms package as a “negotiating chip” with China after meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. Taiwan President Lai Ching-te has maintained that US arms sales are essential for regional peace and stability. Source: BBC News
