Taiwan Says "US Has Not Notified Us" of Weapons Sales Changes Following Military Officials' Statement on Temporary Pause

Taiwan's presidential office stated on May 23 that it has not received any information about changes to U.S. weapons sales following statements by senior American officials indicating a temporary pause in arms sales due to the need for sufficient weaponry for operations against Iran. Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory, is awaiting U.S. approval of a new weapons package valued at up to $14 billion. President Donald Trump said after a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing the previous week that he has not yet decided whether to approve the sale. U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense Hong Chao stated on May 21 that "We have done some foreign military sales to them. It's just 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," referring to U.S. operations against Iran. He added that "we're just making sure we have everything, but then the foreign military sales will continue when the administration deems necessary." Hong noted that approval for Taiwan weapons sales depends on Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Taiwan's presidential spokesperson Karen Koa stated that Taiwan has not received information about any changes to U.S. weapons sales policy and that the U.S. has a legal obligation to provide Taiwan with defensive capabilities. Although China has repeatedly called on the U.S. to halt its weapons sales policy, Taiwan has rejected China's sovereignty claims, emphasizing that only the Taiwanese people can determine their own future.