Is the U.S. suspending arms sales to Taiwan? The Acting Navy Secretary sparks public debate; the Presidential Office: No notification received

Suspension of $14 billion U.S. arms sale to Taiwan due to Middle East conflict sparks heated debate. The Presidential Office clarified that no official notification has been received, hoping the Legislative Yuan will smoothly review the budget. The green camp calls on both sides of the political spectrum to strengthen consensus on national defense independence and not use this to manipulate suspicion of the U.S.

U.S. Navy Acting Secretary states suspension of $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan

After U.S. President Trump indicated the possibility of a new $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan and spoke with Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, U.S. Navy Acting Secretary Hung Cao made a different statement during a Senate appropriations committee hearing.

According to The Hill and CBS News reports, Cao stated that the U.S. military needs to prioritize responding to the Iran war, and is currently suspending this arms sale. He explained at the hearing that the suspension is to ensure the U.S. military has the necessary ammunition for the "Epic Fury" operation.

He emphasized that U.S. military stockpiles are sufficient, and the suspension is only to confirm everything is in place. When the administrative team deems it necessary, the arms sale will continue. Regarding approval of the arms sale, he said it will be decided by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Presidential Office says no notification received; U.S. State Department and Pentagon do not respond

News of the suspension of arms sales to Taiwan by the U.S. quickly sparked public opinion and panic, and the Taiwanese Presidential Office has issued a preliminary response.

According to PTS News Network, Presidential Office spokesperson Guo Ya-hui stated that no information has been received regarding adjustments to this arms sale, and hopes the Legislative Yuan can complete the review of related military procurement regulations and special budgets as scheduled.

On the other hand, regarding the Navy Acting Secretary’s remarks at the hearing, the U.S. State Department and Pentagon have not yet responded to foreign media requests for comment.

Trump did not promise to defend Taiwan; U.S. lawmakers call for continued arms sales

After the Trump-Xi meeting, Trump confirmed on Air Force One that Xi Jinping mentioned the U.S. arms sale to Taiwan.

Trump told reporters that he did not make any commitments on this issue and refused to publicly state whether the U.S. would defend Taiwan if China launched an attack.

Following these remarks, bipartisan U.S. lawmakers called on the government to continue providing weapons to Taiwan. Texas Republican Congressman and former Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Michael McCaul emphasized last week that the U.S. must arm Taiwan to enable self-defense and deter Xi Jinping.

The U.S. has approved a record $11 billion arms sale to Taiwan by the end of 2025, but this $14 billion arms sale plan has been on Trump’s desk for several months.

Legislators interpret variables in the arms sale; green camp urges against manipulating suspicion of the U.S.

Regarding the variables in the arms sale, Taiwanese legislators from different parties offered various interpretations:

• KMT legislator Hsu Chiao-hsin believes that doubts about U.S. arms procurement stem from President Lai Ching-te’s stance on Taiwanese independence, which sends incorrect messages to the U.S.;
• DPP legislator Chen Kuan-ting analyzes that this statement is merely a variable or concern, not a final decision, and communication through official channels between Taiwan and the U.S. is still ongoing.

According to Central News Agency, DPP Legislative Yuan Whip Zhuang Rui-xiong and Secretary-General Fan Yun held a press conference today on this matter.

Zhuang Rui-xiong pointed out that the current news is only media reports. If true, it highlights the intensity of the Middle East conflict, and the U.S. needs to review its military readiness. This also confirms that Taiwan needs to develop its defense industry and enhance asymmetric warfare capabilities. He called on both sides of the political spectrum to strengthen consensus on national defense independence and not use this to manipulate suspicion of the U.S., emphasizing that Taiwan remains strategically important to the U.S. internationally.