Secretary of State Marco Rubio has clarified the status of a proposed US$14 billion arms package for Taiwan, stating that it has not been paused but is undergoing a standard review process. Addressing concerns in the U.S. Senate, Rubio emphasized that the package’s evaluation is part of routine administrative procedures, especially considering its significant scale and potential effects on U.S. defense production capabilities.
Speculation about the arms deal arose after President Donald Trump reportedly mentioned using the package as leverage in talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Further uncertainty emerged when a senior U.S. defense official indicated that some weapons transfers were being reevaluated to ensure the U.S. maintains sufficient military stockpiles. Rubio, however, assured that labeling the package as “paused” is not accurate, and the review is simply a necessary step given the circumstances.
The U.S. recently approved a separate arms package for Taiwan valued at around US$11 billion, the largest in U.S. history. This decision was met with strong opposition from China, which reacted by increasing military activities near Taiwan. Despite these tensions, Rubio reiterated that U.S. policy toward Taiwan remains consistent and that decisions regarding arms sales to Taiwan are made independently of Beijing’s influence.
Rubio further stressed the importance of maintaining stability in the Taiwan Strait, underscoring that the U.S. does not engage in consultations with China when making arms sales decisions involving Taiwan. As of now, the proposed US$14 billion arms package continues to be under consideration, with no definitive conclusion reached.