The United States has placed a massive $14 billion weapons package for Taiwan on hold, with top military officials citing the need to prioritize American ammunition stockpiles for ongoing military operations in Iran.
Testifying before a congressional hearing on Thursday, Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao confirmed the freeze on the foreign military sale. He explained that Washington is temporarily redirecting its focus toward securing inventory for “Epic Fury,” the code name for U.S. military campaigns tied to the Middle East conflict.
”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,” Cao told lawmakers. “But, we’re just making sure we have everything, then the foreign military sales will continue when the administration deems necessary.”
The Pentagon and the U.S. State Department did not immediately offer official comments following Cao’s testimony.
The freeze comes amid growing domestic and international scrutiny over U.S. President Donald Trump’s broader strategy regarding Taiwan. Trump has refrained from offering an explicit guarantee that the arms transfer will eventually cross his desk, sparking widespread concerns over the depth of Washington’s commitment to the self-governing island, which Beijing claims as its sovereign territory.
Adding to the uncertainty, Trump recently held discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping regarding the weapons package during a high-stakes state visit to China.
The dialogue marks a notable break from a decades-old Washington consensus, which traditionally rejected consulting Beijing on cross-strait defense matters.
Following his bilateral meetings, the U.S. President clarified that he had given no definitive assurances to the Chinese leader, indicating that a final decision on the weapons deal would be handled in due course.
”Over the next fairly short period of time,” Trump remarked regarding when a determination would be made.
Under statutory obligations rooted in U.S. law, Washington is required to supply Taiwan with defensive weaponry to counter potential aggression, despite maintaining formal diplomatic ties exclusively with Beijing.
The frozen defense deal arrives at a critical juncture for Taipei, as China continues to escalate its localized military presence and refuses to renounce the option of taking the island by force.