U.S. Pauses $14 Billion Taiwan Arms Package as Navy Cites Iran Readiness
Updated
Updated · Fox News · May 22
U.S. Pauses $14 Billion Taiwan Arms Package as Navy Cites Iran Readiness
12 articles · Updated · Fox News · May 22
Hung Cao told senators the U.S. has temporarily paused weapons shipments to Taiwan to preserve munitions readiness for a possible Iran escalation and for "Epic Fury."
Cao said foreign military sales could resume when the administration decides, but he left timing to the defense and state leadership, drawing a "really distressing" response from Mitch McConnell.
Taiwan said it had received no U.S. notice of any change, even as the January-approved $14 billion package still awaits formal notification from President Donald Trump.
The pause lands a week after Trump's China visit, where Xi Jinping again cast Taiwan as a red line and Trump said of the arms bundle, "I may do it. I may not do it."
With its arsenals empty, does the pause in Taiwan arms sales signal a retreat of American power?
How will a US munitions shortage from the Iran war reshape China’s ambitions for Taiwan?
Can Taiwan's 'porcupine' defense succeed now that its primary weapons supplier is overstretched by another war?
U.S. Pauses $14 Billion Taiwan Arms Deal: Munitions Shortages and the Erosion of American Security Credibility
Overview
As of May 22, 2026, the United States paused a $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan, with President Trump undecided after detailed talks with China's President Xi. This move, a break from past U.S. policy, has created uncertainty about America's commitment to Taiwan's security. The pause is partly explained by the need to preserve munitions for ongoing U.S. operations, especially as the US-Iran conflict remains unresolved. Critics warn that using the arms sale as a negotiating chip with China could weaken U.S. credibility and give China a strategic advantage, leaving Taiwan and other allies concerned about future support.