U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has confirmed that a proposed $14 billion arms package for Taiwan is not on hold, but rather under evaluation as part of the standard administrative protocol. Addressing the U.S. Senate, Rubio clarified that referring to the package as “paused” is misleading. He underscored that the review is essential due to the significant scale of the deal and its potential implications for U.S. defense production capabilities.
Concerns about the arms package arose following reports that President Donald Trump might use it as a leverage point during discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Additionally, a senior U.S. defense official’s comments suggesting that certain weapons transfers are being reassessed to ensure sufficient military reserves have fueled further speculation. However, Rubio emphasized that these evaluations are part of routine procedures and do not imply any suspension of the deal.
Rubio pointed out that the U.S. had previously approved an $11 billion arms package for Taiwan in December, marking it as the largest arms sale to Taiwan in American history. This decision had drawn strong opposition from China, which reacted by escalating military activities near Taiwan. Despite these tensions, Rubio reiterated that the U.S. maintains its established policy towards Taiwan and does not seek Beijing’s input when deciding on arms sales to the island.
The secretary highlighted the importance of preserving stability and the status quo across the Taiwan Strait amid the ongoing deliberations. While the $14 billion arms package remains under consideration, no definitive decision has yet been made. Rubio’s statements aim to assure that the review process is progressing as expected, without any undue delays or changes in direction.