Rubio: Taiwan Arms Sale Under Review, Not Influenced by Beijing
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said a US$14 billion arms sale to Taiwan remains under review but rejected suggestions that Beijing is influencing the decision. Speaking at a Senate hearing, Rubio said US policy toward Taiwan remains unchanged, despite questions raised after US President Donald Trump’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping and his comments about using arms sales as a negotiating chip.
US Reaffirms Commitment to Taiwan’s Defense Amid Arms Sale Uncertainty
REPORTER:
Washington is reaffirming its commitment to Taiwan’s defense needs. This comes amid uncertainty over a major arms sale that is still waiting President Trump’s approval.
The US top diplomat says a proposed $14 billion US dollars arms sale to Taiwan is still under review, but denies that Beijing is influencing the decision.
REPORTER:
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio made these comments at a Senate hearing on Tuesday, where he also emphasized that US policy toward Taiwan remains unchanged.
Several senators raised questions about the administration’s commitment to Taiwan, following President Donald Trump’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing last month and Trump’s suggestion that arms sales to Taiwan could be used as a negotiating chip in dealings with China.
Marco Rubio (US SECRETARY OF STATE):
When the president says it's a great negotiating thing, what he's really saying is it's because China, as you can imagine, always mentions this like this is a top priority for them. They are constantly talking about Taiwan arms sales, but that in no way is what is holding up our decision making or the White House's decision making.
REPORTER:
The US$14 billion arms package – which would be the largest arms sale to Taiwan if approved by Trump -- includes weapons systems aimed at strengthening Taiwan’s air defense.
Washington’s messaging on the arms deal has been closely scrutinized for signs of a policy shift, particularly after Trump’s meeting with Xi.
REPORTER:
Days after Trump said Taiwan arms sales could serve as a good negotiating chip with China, Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao told Congress on May 21 that the delay was linked to the war in Iran. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth later said at the Shangri-La Dialogue that there had been no change in the US position on arms sales to Taiwan. Rubio’s comments on Tuesday reinforced that stance.
In response to Rubio’s comment, Taiwan’s defense ministry says it has not received any notice of delays to arms sales and will continue to work closely with the US on them.
REPORTER:
Rubio also says the US has just approved a major 11 billion US dollars arms sale to Taiwan last December, calling it the largest ever and evidence of continued US support for Taiwan's defense needs.
