Acting U.S. Navy Secretary Hung Cao said Thursday that the U.S. has paused a US$14 billion [1] arms sale to Taiwan.

The decision prioritizes immediate military needs in the Middle East over long-term security partnerships in the Pacific. This shift suggests a tightening of U.S. munitions stockpiles as the conflict with Iran intensifies.

Cao testified during a U.S. Senate hearing in Washington, D.C., on May 22, 2026 [2]. He said the pause is necessary to ensure the U.S. maintains sufficient ammunition for its current operations.

"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," Cao said [1]. He said the pause on the sale is specifically to ensure the military has the munitions required for Iran [1].

The announcement has created immediate diplomatic friction. A Taiwan government spokesperson said Taiwan has not been notified of any pause in the planned US$14 billion [1] arms sale [1].

This discrepancy between U.S. testimony and Taiwanese awareness highlights a potential gap in communication between the two allies. The munitions involved in the paused sale are now being earmarked for U.S. operations, reflecting the logistical strain of the ongoing war with Iran [1].

The U.S. Navy continues to manage the distribution of hardware and ammunition across multiple theaters of operation. The pause remains in effect as the U.S. evaluates its total inventory needs for the Iran conflict [1].

“"We are doing a pause on the sale to make sure we have the munitions we need for Iran."”

The pause indicates that the U.S. is facing critical munitions constraints due to the war with Iran, forcing the administration to choose between two strategic priorities. By diverting resources from Taiwan, the U.S. risks signaling a decrease in its commitment to Pacific security, which may embolden regional adversaries while attempting to sustain a high-intensity conflict in the Middle East.