Defense Secretary Addresses Pause on Taiwan Arms Shipment
The defense secretary stated the pause on a planned arms shipment to Taiwan is unrelated to the ongoing military operation in Iran. An acting Navy secretary had previously linked the two decisions during a congressional hearing.
ibtimes.co.uk"Hung Cao is fantastic, but I would not couple the two in any way at all," the defense secretary said, referring to the shipment and the operation. " The defense secretary added that the department's ability to resume shipments if needed is sufficient and that stockpiles are adequate both in the region and globally.
Background on the Pause Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao said May 21 that the shipment was paused to ensure sufficient munitions for the military operation in Iran. Cao made the statement during a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee hearing. Cao told the subcommittee that any final decision on the shipment would rest with the defense secretary and the secretary of state.
The defense secretary said decisions on future arms sales to Taiwan will be made by the president. A Department of War spokesperson declined to provide additional comment beyond the defense secretary's remarks. The Department of the Navy did not respond to requests for comment.
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