US President Donald Trump has indicated that arms sales to Taiwan are under consideration and could be used as a "negotiating chip" with the PRC. He also cautioned Taiwan against seeking independence. Taiwan's Presidential Office stated that US arms sales are mandated by the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA), which obliges the US to provide Taiwan with defense articles to maintain self-defense capabilities. This policy is further supported by the Six Assurances, which include not consulting with the PRC on arms sales.
Taiwan has maintained that it does not need to declare independence as it already considers itself a sovereign nation and seeks to preserve the status quo. The PRC, however, characterizes Taiwan's ruling party as "independence activists" seeking to provoke conflict.
Separately, Acting Secretary of the US Navy Hung Cao announced a pause on a $14 billion weapons purchase for Taiwan, citing the need to ensure munitions for US operations in the Middle East. This pause follows reports of the PRC potentially delaying approval of talks with a US Department of Defense official. President Trump also indicated an intention to speak with Taiwanese President Lai, a move that would break with the long-standing US policy of "strategic ambiguity."
