‘Makes no sense’: experts doubt pause in US arms sale to Taiwan is due to Iran war
Experts are questioning a US official's claim that a pause in a $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan is due to the war in Iran. Analysts state that such deliveries typically take years, making the conflict an unlikely cause.
The story so far
- May 10
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- May 27
How outlets cover it
6 outletsNot rated on the left–right scale. It describes Western party politics and doesn’t fit state media or outlets outside that system, so we show ownership and country instead.
Open questions and key claims
Suzanne Maloney stated that the context of the summit, following a 'catastrophic strategic debacle' for the US, changes the sense of American ascendance.
Retired U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Mark Montgomery worries Taiwan will be 'on the menu' during talks due to Trump's transactional approach.
Donald Trump says he will raise the issue of US arms sales to Taiwan during his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Trump reiterated his belief that a conflict with China over Taiwan was unlikely in the near future.
Taiwan's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Francois Wu stated they fear putting Taiwan on the menu of talks between Xi Jinping and President Trump.
In 2017, China aimed to prove it was on an equal footing with the US, but this assertion is no longer necessary.
Trade remains politically powerful for Trump as it provides a language voters understand.
FBI Director Kash Patel denied allegations of excessive drinking and unexplained absences as 'baseless' during a Senate hearing.
Who and where
Related stories over time
same people and places- Feb 4 – Feb 12 earlierTaiwan tensions poised to be primary flashpoint of Donald Trump’s Beijing agenda9 articles · 5 outlets
- Mar 8 – Mar 9 earlierChina’s Wang sees ‘landmark year’ in US relations7 articles · 2 outlets
- Mar 16 – Mar 17 earlierTrump confirms delay of Beijing meeting with Xi amid Iran conflict11 articles · 4 outlets
- Mar 25 – Mar 26 earlierTrump confirms May meeting with Xi Jinping as Iran war forces postponement4 articles · 4 outlets
- Apr 4 – Apr 16 earlierXi Jinping stresses ‘patience’ on Taiwan reunification in talks with opposition leader21 articles · 6 outlets
- May 10 – May 27◆ This story
- May 11 – May 12 at the same timeTrump set to meet with Xi in Beijing as war and inflation weigh on his presidency3 articles · 3 outlets
- May 12 – May 13 at the same time
- Sep 27 – Sep 28 laterArming an adversary: Why Trump’s offer to sell China weapons belies US policy4 articles · 4 outlets