Navy's acting secretary says $14 billion Taiwan arms sale put on "pause" over Iran war
CBS News • • nation
Key Points:
- The acting U.S. Navy Secretary, Hung Cao, announced a temporary "pause" on arms sales to Taiwan to ensure sufficient munitions for military operations against Iran, specifically for "Epic Fury."
- The $14 billion weapons purchase by Taiwan is stalled, with the administration indicating sales will resume when deemed necessary, but no firm timeline was provided.
- President Trump has not committed to the arms sale, raising doubts about U.S. support for Taiwan amid China's territorial claims and his discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the issue.
- Congressional lawmakers from both parties have urged the Trump administration to continue arming Taiwan to maintain deterrence against China.
- Despite recognizing only Beijing diplomatically, U.S. law mandates providing defensive arms to Taiwan, a self-ruled democracy, but the latest $14 billion package remains pending approval.