GOP Senators Press Trump Administration Over Stalled Taiwan Aid and Arms Sales

Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and three other Republican senators urged the Trump administration to move ahead with security assistance and arms sales to Taiwan during Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Washington, Kevin Freking reported for The Associated Press (AP).

Sen. Mitch McConnell and other Republican senators urged the Trump administration to clarify the status of US security assistance and arms sales to Taiwan. [Photo: 國防部 Ministry of National Defense, ROC(Taiwan) X]

McConnell, along with Sens. John Cornyn, R-Texas; Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska; and Thom Tillis, R-N.C., sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently expressing concern about funding and arms sales that have not yet been obligated or approved.

The senators said the State Department had not obligated $300 million in fiscal 2026 foreign military financing for Taiwan and that the Defense Department had not obligated $1 billion for the Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative.

They also questioned the administration's decision to withhold approval of a $14 billion package of foreign military sales to Taiwan.

The senators cited Trump's description of Taiwan as a "very good negotiating chip" in discussions with Xi and asked the administration to explain how the delayed assistance fits with its broader security strategy in the Indo-Pacific.

Rubio said the arms sales were still under review, noting that the administration considers US military needs and other factors when approving weapons sales.