US pausing $14bn arms sale to Taiwan due to Iran war, navy chief says
Al Jazeera • • general
Key Points:
- The US is pausing a $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan to conserve munitions for its ongoing conflict with Iran, according to Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao during a Senate hearing.
- The decision to resume the sale will be made by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, with the sale pending President Trump's approval.
- Taiwan officials have not been officially informed of the pause, and Taiwanese Premier Cho Jung-tai affirmed Taiwan's intent to continue pursuing arms purchases.
- The pause has raised concerns about US commitment to Taiwan's defense, with analysts warning it could increase anxiety and complicate Taiwan's defense budgeting.
- The arms sale was a contentious issue during recent US-China talks, with China strongly opposing the deal and warning of potential conflicts over Taiwan, which it claims as its territory.