The proposed $14 billion arms package for Taiwan remains under review, according to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who clarified that it has not been paused. This clarification came during Rubio’s remarks before the U.S. Senate, where he emphasized that the evaluation process is part of the standard administrative procedure necessary for a deal of this magnitude. He noted the importance of this review given the package’s potential impact on the U.S. defense production capacity.
Concerns about the status of the arms package arose following reports that President Donald Trump characterized the deal as a potential bargaining chip in discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Further doubts were fueled by comments from a senior U.S. defense official, who indicated that some weapons transfers are being reassessed to ensure that the U.S. maintains adequate military stockpiles.
Rubio highlighted a previous arms sale to Taiwan, which was approved in December and valued at approximately $11 billion, marking it as the largest in U.S. history. This decision was met with strong opposition from China, which responded by ramping up military activities near Taiwan. Despite these tensions, Rubio reassured that U.S. policy toward Taiwan remains consistent, affirming that Washington does not engage Beijing in consultations regarding decisions on arms sales to Taiwan.
The Secretary of State underscored the importance of preserving stability and the status quo across the Taiwan Strait. Although the $14 billion arms package is still under consideration, no final decision has been made, and the review process continues as part of the U.S. government’s diligence in handling international defense agreements.