“We're taking a break for now to make sure we have the ammunition we need for Operation Epic Fury,” U.S. Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao told parliament when asked about the blocked $14 billion arms sale.
He assured that the US had enough ammunition. “We just want to make sure we have everything we need and that arms sales abroad will resume when the administration deems it necessary,” he said.
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te's spokeswoman, Karen Kuo, said Friday that there was “no information indicating that the United States intends to make adjustments to these arms sales.”
Taiwan Relations Act. China is opposed to selling American weapons to Taiwan
China's foreign ministry said Friday it firmly opposes selling American weapons to Taiwan.
Washington in late 2025 approved the second batch of arms sales to Taiwan since President Donald Trump returned to power. The value of this package is USD 11.1 billion. This agreement has not been implemented so far. After last week's visit to Beijing, Trump said that continuing its deliveries “depends on China” and is a “very good advantage in negotiations.”
Another arms package, worth approximately $14 billion, was approved in January and is awaiting the approval of the US President.
The United States is required to supply Taiwan with defensive weapons under the Taiwan Relations Act, passed by Congress in 1979 after the United States recognized the People's Republic of China – provided Taiwan does not declare independence.
