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AAP
AAP

Taiwan not told by US of any changes to military sales

Taiwan has not received any information about US arms sales delays, the government says, ‌after a senior US official suggested there was a pause due to the need to have ‌enough arms for the war with Iran.

Taiwan, which China views as its own territory, has ‌been waiting for the US to approve a new arms sale package, which Reuters has reported could be worth up to $US14 billion ($A20 billion).

However, US President Donald Trump said following a May 13-15 summit with China's Xi Jinping in Beijing that he was undecided on whether to approve it.

On Thursday, ‌US Acting Navy ‌Secretary Hung ⁠Cao was asked at a Senate appropriations defence subcommittee hearing about future ​arms sales to Taiwan.

"We have done some foreign military sales to them. It's just right now we're doing a pause in order to make sure we have the munitions we need for Epic Fury - which we have plenty," he said, referring to the US operation against Iran.

"But we're just ⁠making sure we have everything, but then ‌the foreign ​military sales will continue when the administration deems necessary," he said, adding it would be up ​to Defense Secretary Pete ‌Hegseth and the Secretary of State Marco Rubio on whether to approve the sales ​to Taiwan.

Speaking to reporters in Taipei, Taiwan Presidential Office spokesman Karen Kuo said they had noted the remarks.

"However, at present we have not received any relevant information about ​the ​US adjusting these military sales," she said.

Taiwan's ​defence ministry said it also had not received ‌any notification of arms sales delays.

The ministry continues to "monitor US security cooperation policy" and maintain close co-ordination and communication with the US to ensure that arms sales proceed according to plan, it said in a statement.

The US is bound by law to provide Taiwan with the means ​to defend itself. China has repeatedly called for the US to stop arms sales.

Taiwan's government rejects ​Beijing's sovereignty claims, saying only ⁠the Taiwanese people can decide their future.

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