US arms sales to Taiwan on ‘pause’ due to Iran war, says acting navy chief

Hung Cao’s comments are latest blow to Taipei after Donald Trump recently cast doubt over US’s enduring support

US arms sales to Taiwan have been “paused” to ensure the US military has enough munitions for its Iran operations, according to Washington’s acting navy secretary, in the latest blow to Taipei after a series of comments by Donald Trump.

When asked at a congressional hearing on Thursday about a $14bn (£10.4bn) weapons packageawaiting Trump’s signoff for months, Hung Cao said: “Right now we’re doing a pause in order to make sure we have the munitions we need for Epic Fury [the Iran war] – which we have plenty.”