Experts have cast doubt on claims that a pause in US arms sales to Taiwan is linked to the conflict in Iran, describing the suggestion as 'makes no sense'. The uncertainty follows comments by acting US navy secretary Hung Cao, who told a congressional hearing that a $14bn weapons package for Taiwan had been paused to ensure munitions were available for 'Operation Epic Fury', the US war against Iran.
Rupert Hammond-Chambers, president of the US-Taiwan Business Council, said there was a 'very low likelihood' of any connection between the two issues, noting that the weapons deals under consideration would take three to six years to deliver. 'If he sends those congressional notifications by the end of June, you’re talking about another six to 12 months before the contract is signed, and then the clock starts on delivery. So we’re really into the 2030s,' he said.
An unnamed US official later told Reuters that the military had 'more than enough munitions' for all strategic goals and that the pause was 'unrelated to the war with Iran'. The comments come amid heightened concern in Taiwan over US support, after President Donald Trump suggested he could use arms sales as a 'negotiating chip' with Beijing and indicated he might speak directly with Taiwan’s president, Lai Ching-te.
Peter Mattis, president of the Jamestown Foundation, said Cao's remarks were inaccurate, as arms packages already notified to Congress could not be affected by the Iran conflict. 'Whatever has been said is somebody misspeaking and not necessarily understanding the technical details of how US arms sales work,' he said.
