The U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, has clarified that the proposed $14 billion arms package intended for Taiwan has not been halted but is undergoing a standard review process. During a session with the U.S. Senate, Rubio stated that the package is still under evaluation and emphasized that labeling it as “paused” is misleading. The review, he explained, is essential due to the package’s considerable scale and its potential effects on the U.S. defense production capabilities.
Speculations about the status of the arms deal emerged after President Donald Trump allegedly mentioned it as a potential negotiation lever in talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Further concerns were voiced following comments from a high-ranking U.S. defense official, who indicated that certain weapons transfers were being reexamined to ensure that U.S. military reserves remain sufficient.
Rubio pointed out that last December, the U.S. approved an arms deal valued at approximately $11 billion for Taiwan, marking it as the largest arms sale in U.S. history. He noted that this decision met with strong opposition from China, which reacted by increasing its military activities near Taiwan. Despite the tensions, Rubio reassured that the U.S. policy towards Taiwan has not changed, and emphasized that Washington does not consult Beijing when it comes to decisions regarding arms sales to Taiwan.
He further stressed the importance of maintaining stability and the status quo across the Taiwan Strait. Rubio reiterated that the proposed $14 billion arms package for Taiwan is still under consideration, with no definitive decision having been made yet.