The U.S. is delaying shipment of arms to Taipei despite the fact that the sale of those arms is or was a done deal or a sort-of-done deal. The reason is that “it’s a great negotiating chip,” something to use to try to sway the People’s Republic of China.
Or so says Donald Trump, who also says that delaying shipment of the arms to the Republic of China reduces the chances of war between PRC and ROC.
Many have explained that Trump’s words and actions related to this subject do not add up to the strategic insight and advantage that he claims for them.
A second reason
But now a second reason is being proffered for delaying shipment of the arms to Taipei. Is it possible that this new reason is being presented as the true real reason in hopes of annulling consternation over the president’s explanation of the delay? The messenger is the acting U.S. Navy secretary, Hung Cao, who tells the U.S. Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee that “Right now we’re doing a pause in order to make sure we have the munitions we need for Epic Fury” (Associated Press, May 22, 2026).
However, the annulling potential of this replacement reason is itself annulled by Cao’s next words to the Subcommittee: “Then the foreign military sales will continue when the administration deems necessary.” Which puts us back where we were before, with President Trump musing about the utility of delay as a bargaining chip with which to annul the People’s Republic of China.
Meanwhile, the ROC government is saying that the U.S. “hasn’t notified it of any pause in a planned $14B arms sale.” The U.S. may have assumed that ROC officials would just read the newspapers and Truth Social posts.
On the other hand, Trump has said that he is willing to talk to the leader of the Republic of China, who is President Lai Ching-te. Maybe President Lai, who says that “only strength can bring peace,” will convince Trump anew of the soundness of Trump’s own doctrine.
Lai also says: “Democracy and freedom should also not be seen as provocation.”
The possibility that Trump will talk directly to Lai, head of state to head of state, a rarity in U.S.-ROC diplomacy, has angered the PRC. This is the same PRC that is engaging in military exercises with Russia and Iran near the Strait of Hormuz, which seems a tad more provocative under present circumstances than having a phone conversation with somebody.
So far, Trump’s negotiating chip does not seem to be working its magic.
