The acting US Navy Secretary said Thursday that arms sales to Taiwan had been put on “pause” to ensure that the American military had sufficient munitions for its Iran operations. Asked at a congressional hearing about the stalled $14 billion weapons purchase by Taiwan, acting Secretary Hung Cao said that “right now we’re taking a pause to make sure we have the munitions we need for Epic Fury — which we have plenty.”
“But, we’re just making sure we have everything, then the foreign military sales will continue when the administration deems necessary.” The US State Department and the Pentagon did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Cao’s remarks. Taiwan’s Presidential Office spokeswoman Karen Kuo said Friday there was “no information indicating that the US intends to make any adjustments to this arms sale.”