US still planning on $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan, officials say
FILE-US and Taiwan flags fly outside the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) in Taoyuan on March 30, 2026. (Photo by I-Hwa Cheng / AFP via Getty Images)
Taiwan's government stated Friday that it hasn't been notified of a pause in a planned $14 billion U.S. arms sale.
This comes after acting U.S. Navy Secretary Hung Cao told a Senate committee that some foreign military sales were being delayed, to guarantee U.S. military forces had ample munitions for the war in Iran.
Cao testified before the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee on Tuesday, telling lawmakers "I have not heard, I have not spoken to the Taiwanese. However, we have done some military, foreign military sales to them. And 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, but we're just making sure we have everything," Cao testified.
FOX News reported that when asked by Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., if sales would resume at any point, Cao replied, "That would be up to the secretary of war and the secretary of state, sir."
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Cao said Thursday that the arms sales would continue when the Trump administration deemed it appropriate, according to the Associated Press.
U.S. arms sale to Taiwan
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The Trump administration authorized an $11 billion weapons package for Taipei in December 2025, but it has yet to move forward.
According to the Associated Press, U.S. legislators approved a separate $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan in January, but the deal can't move until President Donald Trump formally submits it to Congress.
In an interview with Fox News on his way back to the United States from his trip to Beijing last week, Trump said that arms sales to Taiwan are "a very good negotiating chip" in U.S. dealings with China.
Meanwhile, Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te told the AP that if given the chance, he would tell Trump to continue U.S. arms purchases, which Lai called essential for peace.
The AP reported that Trump and Lai conducting talks potentially would anger China, which responds strongly to visits to Taiwan by American politicians.
A Taiwan presidential spokesperson told the AP Friday there was no more information about a possible conversation between Lai and Trump.
The Source: Information for this story was provided by FOX News and The Associated Press. This story was reported from Washington, D.C.