The United States has temporarily paused weapons sales to Taiwan as officials work to ensure the U.S. military has enough munitions available for a possible escalation involving Iran, acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao told lawmakers on Tuesday.
Cao made the comments during testimony before the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, where he was questioned about U.S. military readiness and ongoing foreign military sales.
“I have not heard, I have not spoken to the Taiwanese,” Cao said. “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.”
The remarks came after Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., asked whether weapons sales to Taiwan would resume in the future. Cao said that decision would be up to the secretary of war and the secretary of state.
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“Well, that’s really distressing,” McConnell replied.
The testimony comes as tensions between Washington and Beijing remain high over Taiwan. China views Taiwan as one of its most sensitive national issues and has repeatedly warned the United States against actions it sees as supporting Taiwanese independence.
The issue also follows President Donald Trump’s recent state visit to China, where Chinese President Xi Jinping reportedly emphasized that Taiwan remains a red line for Beijing.
Taiwan has long relied on U.S. weapons purchases to strengthen its defenses against a potential Chinese military move. Any delay in arms deliveries or new sales could raise concerns among lawmakers who argue that deterring China should remain a top U.S. priority, even as Washington manages other conflicts abroad.
The pause highlights a broader challenge for U.S. defense planners: balancing commitments to partners abroad while maintaining enough stockpiles for possible crises in multiple regions.
The Trump administration paused a $14 billion weapons sale to Taiwan to preserve U.S. munitions for the Iran war, according to Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao.
“Right now we’re doing a pause in order to make sure we have the munitions we need for Epic Fury,” Cao told senators,… pic.twitter.com/WSsedV94ay
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