U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has clarified that the proposed US$14 billion arms package for Taiwan is still under review and has not been halted. Addressing the U.S. Senate, Rubio emphasized that the evaluation process is ongoing due to the complexity and significant implications of the package on U.S. defense capabilities, urging that it should not be described as “paused.”
The scrutiny of the arms deal came into focus following reports that President Donald Trump considered using the package as leverage in talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Further, remarks from a senior U.S. defense official indicated a reassessment of some weapons transfers to ensure sufficient military stockpiles, adding another layer of concern to the ongoing discussions about the deal.
Rubio pointed out that the U.S. had approved an arms sale to Taiwan valued at approximately US$11 billion last December, marking it as the largest transaction of its kind in U.S. history. Despite China’s strong opposition to this decision, which resulted in increased military maneuvers near Taiwan, the U.S. remains firm in its policy. Rubio reiterated that the U.S. does not seek Beijing’s input when making decisions on arms sales to Taiwan.
Reaffirming the U.S.’s unwavering stance, Rubio highlighted the necessity of maintaining stability across the Taiwan Strait. He assured that the U.S. policy towards Taiwan is unchanged and that the proposed US$14 billion arms package is still under consideration, with no definitive decision reached yet.