Trump Delays Selling Weapons to Taiwan for 'Negotiations' with China

US President Donald Trump with Chinese President Xi Jinping/DOK White House

JAKARTA - The United States announced a delay in the sale of weapons worth 14 billion US dollars (around Rp248 trillion) to Taiwan because the war with Iran is still ongoing.

US President Donald Trump has indicated a delay in arms sales to Taiwan is to make it a "negotiating tool" with China.

"I haven't agreed to it yet. We'll see what happens. I might do it (sell weapons to Taiwan). I might not do it either," Trump told Fox News, quoted by ANTARA from Anadolu, Friday, May 22.

After his visit to China, Trump said he had discussed the issue in detail with Chinese President Xi Jinping, before deciding in the near future on the sale.

According to media reports, the United States has for decades adhered to the "Six Assurances", six foreign policy principles that govern US-Taiwan relations since 1982 during the presidency of Ronald Reagan.

The second point of the principle states that the US does not consult with China regarding arms sales to Taiwan.

Meanwhile, Acting US Navy Secretary Hung Cao explained that the decision to delay the sale of weapons to Taiwan would be made by US Secretary of Defense Pete hegseth and US Secretary of State MarcoRubio.

Caomenegaskan militer Amerika masih memiliki cukup rudal dan sistem pencegat, meskipun muncul sorotan atas laporanpersediaan amunisi AS menipis.

"Currently, we are postponing sales to ensure we have the ammunition needed for Epic Fury and we have enough. We are just making sure everything is available, but sales to foreign militaries will resume when the government deems it necessary," Cao said in a Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee hearing in Washington D.C.

Epic Fury refers to the name of a military operation carried out by the Americans against Iran.

Although Cao stressed that the US military's ammunition stockpiles were still sufficient, various reports said that the American military had used thousands of missiles since the Iran war began on February 28.

The use is said to have consumed nearly half of the Pentagon's stock of long-range stealth cruise missiles, as well as reducing the reserves of Tomahawk missiles, Patriot interceptor missiles, Precision Strike missiles, and land-based ATACMS missiles.

The White House is reportedly planning to request an additional $80-10 billion (around Rp1.7 trillion) in funds from Congress for the Iran war.

Much of the money has been used to replenish supplies of expensive and sophisticated weapons that have been depleted during the fighting.

The only factor that slightly reduced the pressure was the implementation of a ceasefire since April, so that the use of US ammunition decreased significantly.