US Report: $14 Billion Taiwan Arms Sale Put on Hold Amid Iran War Context
According to The Hill, Acting U.S. Navy Secretary Cao Xiong said the United States has suspended a $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan due to the Iran war. However, U.S. sources familiar with the matter say President Donald Trump will soon make a decision on the Taiwan arms sale, and it is unrelated to the Iran war. At the same time, bipartisan U.S. lawmakers have introduced a resolution supporting Taiwan, reaffirming the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances.
Insiders: Trump will soon decide on Taiwan arms sale
The Hill reported on the 21st that Cao Xiong (Hung Cao), speaking at a Senate hearing, said the U.S. is currently suspending a $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan due to the conflict between the United States and Iran.
According to Central News Agency (CNA), a U.S. source told reporters on the afternoon of May 22: “As President Trump said, he will make a decision regarding Taiwan arms sales soon.” The source added that these sales take years to process and are unrelated to “Operation Epic Fury.” The U.S. military had “more than enough munitions, ammo, and stockpiles to serve all of President Trump’s strategic goals and beyond.”
Pentagon chief spokesperson Sean Parnell also said in a statement that, as with all prospective foreign military sales and security assistance matters, the details remain pre-decisional until finalized by the President. “Our Taiwan policy remains unchanged, and the U.S. continues to adhere to longstanding commitment consistent with the Taiwan Relations Act,” Parnell said.
Based on a live hearing broadcast, Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee Chair and senior Republican Senator Mitch McConnell asked about the reported suspension of arms sales to Taiwan. Cao responded that the U.S. has already provided some arms sales to Taiwan, and “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.”
SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE NEWSLETTER
You are now signed up for our newsletter
Check your email to complete sign up
Cao added: “We’re just making sure we have everything, but then the foreign military sales will continue when the administration deems necessary.”
A White House official previously told reporters on background that Trump approved $11.1 billion in arms sales to Taiwan in December last year, “consistent with U.S. policy since the 1950s.”
The official also said that during Trump’s first term, the total value of Taiwan arms sales approved exceeded that of any other president. In his second term, the first-year approvals for Taiwan arms sales also exceeded the total of the Biden administration over four years.
Bipartisan US lawmakers introduce resolution supporting Taiwan
As Trump is expected to soon decide on a new round of arms sales, bipartisan U.S. senators on the 22nd introduced a resolution reaffirming support for the Taiwan Relations Act and the U.S.-Taiwan partnership, as well as the Six Assurances, including the principle that the U.S. will not consult Beijing on Taiwan arms sales.
A press release from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee stated that Democratic ranking member Jeanne Shaheen and Republican Senator Thom Tillis, co-chair of the Senate Taiwan Caucus, introduced the resolution reaffirming the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act and bipartisan support for the U.S.-Taiwan partnership. Co-sponsors include Democratic Senator Chris Coons and Republican Senator Susan Collins.
The press release stated that since the passage of the Taiwan Relations Act in 1979, the U.S. Congress has played a central role in shaping and guiding U.S. policy toward Taiwan and the People’s Republic of China. The decision to establish diplomatic relations with the PRC was based on the continued and important expectation that Taiwan’s future would be determined peacefully.
It also noted that over the past 40+ years, the United States has continued, on a bipartisan basis, to provide weapons to Taiwan. These arms and U.S.-Taiwan security cooperation effectively counter the military actions of the Chinese Communist Party.
The resolution reportedly reaffirms that the Taiwan Relations Act, the Three U.S.-China Joint Communiqués, and the Six Assurances are the foundation of U.S.-Taiwan relations, which continue to enjoy broad bipartisan support. It emphasizes that the core principles of the Taiwan Relations Act have stood the test of time, including providing Taiwan with defensive weapons, and reiterates that the U.S. has not agreed to consult the Chinese Communist Party in advance on Taiwan arms sales.
Shaheen stated that “U.S. support for Taiwan is non-negotiable,” and again called on the Trump administration to formally notify Congress of the previously approved January 2026 $14 billion arms sale.
Tillis said Taiwan is one of America’s strongest democratic partners in the Indo-Pacific and plays a critical role in promoting regional stability, economic security, and freedom in the face of growing aggression from the Chinese Communist Party. “The United States must continue to stand firmly alongside the Taiwanese people and reaffirm our commitment to Taiwan’s security and right to self-determination free from coercion or intimidation.”
Coons also said a free and open Indo-Pacific is essential to U.S. security, and Taiwan stands on the front line defending freedom against a Chinese government seeking to surpass the United States militarily, technologically, and economically. Collins added that this bipartisan resolution reaffirms the Taiwan Relations Act and long-standing U.S. support for Taiwan. She also said the Taiwan Relations Act has guided U.S.-Taiwan relations for more than 45 years, maintaining a strong partnership and affirming U.S. support for Taiwan’s self-defense.