WP: US pauses arms sales to Taiwan amid Trump’s reconciliation with Beijing

U.S. arms sales to Taiwan have been “paused,” according to a senior U.S. military official, raising concerns among lawmakers and Taiwanese officials about Washington’s commitment to the self-governed island amid shifting geopolitical priorities.

Acting U.S. Navy Secretary Hung Cao told a Senate committee on May 21 that foreign military sales to Taiwan had been temporarily halted to preserve U.S. weapons stockpiles for operations related to Iran, The Washington Post has learned.

He said the transfers would resume when the administration “deems necessary.”

U.S. lawmakers approved a multi-billion-dollar arms package for Taiwan in January, potentially worth up to $14 billion, but it has not yet been formally signed off by the White House.

The reported pause comes as Washington balances multiple international priorities, including ongoing tensions in the Middle East and efforts to manage relations with Beijing.

At last week’s U.S.–China summit, Chinese officials expressed opposition to continued U.S. arms sales to Taiwan. According to multiple sources cited by WP, Beijing has privately urged Washington to delay or scale back such military assistance.

Speaking after the summit, U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed that Taiwan arms sales were discussed with Chinese President Xi Jinping and dismissed long-standing U.S. practice of avoiding consultation with Beijing on the issue.

He also said he had not yet decided on future arms packages, describing the deals as a “very good negotiating chip.”

By Sabina Mammadli