U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has clarified that the proposed US$14 billion arms package for Taiwan is still undergoing a routine review process and has not been paused. Addressing the U.S. Senate, Rubio emphasized that labeling the deal as “paused” is incorrect. He noted that the evaluation is a standard procedure due to the package’s significant size and its potential implications for U.S. defense production capabilities.
Concerns about the status of the arms package surfaced after reports suggested that President Donald Trump might be considering it as a bargaining chip in negotiations with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Further uncertainty arose from comments made by a senior U.S. defense official, who indicated that some weapon transfers might be reassessed to ensure the U.S. maintains adequate military reserves.
Rubio pointed out that in December, the U.S. approved an arms deal valued at approximately US$11 billion for Taiwan, marking it as the largest arms sale in U.S. history. He mentioned that China was strongly opposed to this decision, which led to heightened military activities near Taiwan in response. The secretary reassured that the U.S. continues to uphold its existing policy toward Taiwan and does not seek Beijing’s input when deciding on arms sales to the island.
Highlighting the importance of regional stability, Rubio reiterated the U.S. commitment to maintaining the status quo across the Taiwan Strait. Although the US$14 billion package remains under evaluation, no final decision has been made at this time.