© EPA/RITCHIE B. TONGO This represents unfortunate development for Taipei, particularly following the recent contentious remarks by Trump.
Washington has put a hold on weaponry deliveries to Taiwan, aiming to guarantee the US armed forces possess adequate ordnance to confront a conflict involving Iran, according to acting US Navy Secretary Hung Cao. This news arrives as a further setback for Taipei after a series of divisive pronouncements by US President Donald Trump.
“We are currently suspending these sales to ascertain we maintain the necessary ammunition for Operation Epic Fury, of which we possess a sufficient quantity,” Cao declared, responding to queries during a US Congress hearing on Thursday, May 21. The session addressed a $14 billion weapons arrangement for Taipei, which has been pending Trump’s endorsement for several months.
“We are simply confirming our resources, and the arms deliveries will resume once the administration deems it appropriate,” Cao elaborated.
When questioned if he anticipated the arms transaction to Taiwan would ultimately gain approval, Cao stated the determination would be made by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth.
Widespread anxiety is mounting regarding reports that the US has exhausted a substantial portion of its missile reserves since the commencement of hostilities with Iran on February 28, which has since entered a fragile armistice.
“Taipei has not been given any information suggesting the US intends to implement alterations to the arms sales agreement,” Taiwan presidential spokeswoman Karen Kuo stated on Friday, May 22, addressing Tsao’s statements.
This declaration presents unwelcome developments for Taipei, arising a week following Trump’s assembly with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing, where the topic of multibillion-dollar US weapon sales to Taiwan held prominence. Beijing has consistently declared its firm opposition to US weapon deliveries to the island democracy, which it views as a renegade province. During Trump’s visit, Xi released a stern warning underscoring the potential for discord between the US and China should the Taiwan question be mishandled.
Washington has maintained ambiguity concerning its potential defense of Taiwan in the circumstance of an invasion. However, under the Taiwan Relations Act, ratified several decades prior, the US is mandated to equip Taipei with ample military resources for self-protection.
Although Trump asserted he made no assurances regarding Taiwan throughout his meeting with Xi, he issued several pronouncements in the past week that sowed doubt regarding American backing for the island. Trump labeled the weapons conveyance to Taiwan “a highly effective negotiating asset” with Beijing and has yet to decide on a fresh weapons bundle. He also made public a dialogue with the president of Taiwan, an act that could incite China. No incumbent US president has engaged in discussion with the leader of Taiwan since 1979, when Washington switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing. However, Trump did converse with former Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen upon his election as US president in late 2016.
Serhiy Korsunsky elaborated on the consequences of Trump’s meeting with Xi in the piece “G2 without illusions: what Trump and Xi really decided in Beijing.”