US pauses Taiwan arms sale as Trump considers talks with Taiwan president over defence package

The United States has paused a proposed US$14 billion arms package for Taiwan while reviewing military stockpiles linked to operations involving Iran, acting US Navy Secretary Hung Cao told a congressional hearing.

Cao said the temporary halt was intended to ensure the US military retained sufficient munitions reserves for “Epic Fury”, referring to American operations connected to the Iran conflict.

“Right now we’re doing a pause in order to make sure we have the munitions we need for Epic Fury,” Cao said during the hearing.

He added that foreign military sales would continue “when the administration deems necessary”.

The proposed package would become the largest arms transfer ever approved for Taiwan if signed off by President Donald Trump.

Congress approved the package in January, but the sale still requires formal presidential approval before it can proceed.

The package would surpass the previous US$11 billion arms sale approved for Taiwan in December under Trump’s administration.

Cao said the final decision would rest with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The delay comes despite a ceasefire agreement reached between the United States and Iran on 8 April. While active hostilities have paused, Washington and Tehran have yet to finalise a permanent agreement.

Trump has repeatedly declined to confirm whether he will approve the Taiwan package.

Speaking to Fox News last week, Trump said he “may” or “may not” proceed with the deal.

The uncertainty has fuelled concerns in Taipei over Washington’s long-term commitment to Taiwan’s defence amid rising military pressure from China.

The proposed package reportedly includes anti-drone systems and air-defence missile platforms designed to strengthen Taiwan’s deterrence capabilities.

Potential Trump-Lai talks break protocol

Trump has also indicated he may directly speak with Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te before making a final decision on the sale.

“I’ll speak to him. I speak to everybody … we’ll work on that, the Taiwan problem,” Trump said on 21 May 2026 when asked whether he planned to discuss the issue with Lai.

A direct conversation between a sitting US president and Taiwan’s leader would represent a significant break from decades of diplomatic protocol.

Washington severed formal diplomatic relations with Taipei in 1979 when it recognised the government in Beijing as China’s sole legal government.

Since then, US presidents have avoided direct official communication with Taiwanese leaders to maintain the delicate diplomatic balance underpinning US-China relations.

Trump previously disrupted diplomatic convention in 2016 when he accepted a congratulatory phone call from then Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wen after winning the presidential election.

That conversation prompted formal protests from Beijing.

Ahead of Trump’s recent state visit to China, he said he intended to discuss Taiwan arms sales with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The comments marked another departure from longstanding US policy, which traditionally avoided consulting Beijing over weapons transfers to Taiwan.

During the return flight from Beijing aboard Air Force One, Trump said he had discussed the issue “in great detail” with Xi.

He later said he had made “no commitment either way”.

Trump also suggested the package could become part of broader negotiations with China, describing the sale as a possible “negotiating chip”.

The remarks appeared to contradict assurances Washington gave Taiwan in 1982 that the US would not consult Beijing regarding future arms sales.

When questioned about that commitment, Trump reportedly dismissed the relevance of policies established in the 1980s, saying it was “a long way” in the past.

China warns against official exchanges

China strongly criticised the possibility of direct communication between Trump and Lai.

A spokesperson for China’s foreign ministry said Beijing “firmly opposes official exchanges between the United States and Taiwan”.

The spokesperson also urged Washington to “stop sending wrong signals to the separatist forces in Taiwan”.

Beijing claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has not ruled out the use of force to achieve unification.

Chinese officials have repeatedly identified Taiwan as one of the most sensitive issues in relations between Beijing and Washington.

During Trump’s Beijing visit, Xi reportedly warned that mishandling the Taiwan issue could lead to “conflict” between the two powers.

Trump later acknowledged that Xi felt “very strongly” about Taiwan but dismissed suggestions that conflict was inevitable.

Taiwan seeks continued US support

Taiwan’s government has publicly welcomed the prospect of talks between Trump and Lai.

Taiwan’s foreign ministry said Lai would be “happy” to discuss issues related to maintaining stability across the Taiwan Strait.

The ministry reiterated Lai’s earlier remarks that Taiwan remained committed to preserving the “stable status quo” in the region.

Lai has also described Taiwan as a “sovereign, independent democratic country”.

He said peace in the Taiwan Strait should not be “sacrificed or traded away”.

Taiwan has significantly increased defence spending since Lai took office in 2024 as Chinese military activity around the island intensified.

The United States does not formally recognise Taiwan as an independent state.

However, under the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act, Washington is legally required to provide Taiwan with defensive weapons and maintain the island’s capacity for self-defence.

The proposed package has therefore become a major test of Trump’s Taiwan policy as Washington balances support for Taipei against efforts to stabilise relations with Beijing.