China Deploys 100-Plus Vessels Near Taiwan as Trump Weighs $14 Billion Arms Package
Updated
Updated · Fox News · May 23
China Deploys 100-Plus Vessels Near Taiwan as Trump Weighs $14 Billion Arms Package
9 articles · Updated · Fox News · May 23
More than 100 Chinese vessels were deployed around the first island chain in the days after the Trump-Xi Beijing summit, Taiwan National Security Council Secretary General Joseph Wu said.
Wu said the ships were concentrated near Taiwan, the South China Sea, the East China Sea and the Philippines, calling China the main force disrupting the regional status quo.
The buildup came days after acting U.S. Navy Secretary Hung Cao told lawmakers Washington had temporarily paused some weapons shipments to Taiwan to preserve munitions for "Epic Fury."
That pause has clouded a $14 billion Taiwan arms package approved by U.S. lawmakers in January but still awaiting Trump's sign-off, with Taiwanese officials saying they were not warned.
At the summit, Beijing again told Trump that Taiwan is the most important issue in U.S.-China relations, underscoring the wider stakes as military pressure around the island rises.
As the US diverts arms for a secret operation, can Taiwan's defenses withstand China's massive naval encirclement?
Can a new alliance between Japan and the Philippines forge a shield for Taiwan amid rising Chinese aggression?
Could a conflict over Taiwan, home to 90% of advanced chips, trigger a global economic and technological collapse?
Taiwan Faces Unprecedented Chinese Naval Surge and US Arms Sale Pause: $14 Billion Deal in Limbo
Overview
As of late May 2026, China has sharply increased its maritime and air activities around Taiwan, creating a stepped-up threat that highlights Taiwan’s urgent need to strengthen its defenses. In response, the United States is considering a $14 billion arms package for Taiwan, but President Trump’s ongoing review has paused its progress, leading to uncertainty about when these crucial defense assets will arrive. This pause comes as Taiwan’s leaders warn of China’s broader ambitions and emphasize the island’s role as a front-line defense, underscoring the growing tension and strategic stakes in the region.