U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has clarified that the proposed $14 billion arms package for Taiwan is not on hold but is currently undergoing a standard review process. Addressing the U.S. Senate, Rubio emphasized that this evaluation is part of the normal administrative procedure, given the substantial size of the package and its potential implications for U.S. defense manufacturing capabilities. He suggested that labeling the package as “paused” is misleading and inaccurate.
Speculation about the status of the arms deal intensified following reports that President Donald Trump might have considered using the package as a negotiation point in talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Further concerns emerged when a senior U.S. defense official hinted that certain weapons deliveries were being re-evaluated to ensure the U.S. military maintains sufficient stockpiles.
Rubio pointed out that just a few months earlier, in December, the United States approved an $11 billion arms deal with Taiwan, marking it as the largest in the history of U.S.-Taiwan arms sales. He noted that the decision was met with strong opposition from China, which responded by escalating its military maneuvers near Taiwan.
In his remarks, Rubio reaffirmed that the U.S. policy concerning Taiwan remains unchanged. He stressed that the U.S. does not seek Beijing’s input when deciding on arms sales to Taiwan. He underscored the need for stability and maintaining the status quo across the Taiwan Strait, dismissing any notions of altering longstanding U.S. policy.
The $14 billion arms package proposal is still under active consideration, with no definitive decision reached as of now.