Archive · 24 Sep 2026
Republican senators urge Trump to release stalled Taiwan funds
Four Republican senators want the United States to move forward with more than $15 billion in security help for Taiwan.
They wrote to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
The delayed assistance includes $300 million from the State Department and $1 billion from the Defense Department.
Another possible weapons sale is worth about $14 billion.
The Trump administration approved a separate $11 billion Taiwan arms package in December.
President Donald Trump called the delayed $14 billion package a useful negotiating tool with China.
China says Taiwan is part of its territory and opposes United States arms sales to the island.
The senators worry that delaying the assistance could weaken Taiwan's defenses and United States deterrence in the Indo-Pacific.
Chinese President Xi Jinping was expected to discuss the issue with Trump during his Washington visit.
Four Republican senators urged the Trump administration to release more than $15 billion in stalled security assistance for Taiwan.
The letter cited $300 million in congressional foreign military financing that the State Department has not advanced.
The senators said the Defense Department has not obligated $1 billion in defense funds for Taiwan.
A separate $14 billion foreign military sales package has remained pending for months.
The appeal came as President Donald Trump prepared to host Chinese President Xi Jinping in Washington, with Taiwan arms sales expected to be discussed.
- Who
- Republican Senators Mitch McConnell, John Cornyn, Lisa Murkowski and Thom Tillis urged the Trump administration to release Taiwan security assistance; the letter was addressed to Marco Rubio and Pete Hegseth.
- What
- They called for action on more than $15 billion in delayed security assistance and arms sales for Taiwan.
- When
- The letter was reported on Wednesday, September 23, as Xi Jinping prepared for a three-day visit to Washington.
- Where
- Washington, United States; the assistance concerns Taiwan and the Indo-Pacific.
- Why
- The senators said withholding the assistance could undermine United States credibility and deterrence, while China has urged the United States to stop arms sales to Taiwan.
Senators urging release
Administration and Chinese objections
Whether to release the assistance
Senators urging release
The four Republican senators argued that delaying approved or proposed assistance could weaken United States credibility, influence and deterrence in the Indo-Pacific.
Administration and Chinese objections
The Trump administration has kept the $14 billion package in abeyance, while Trump described it as a negotiating chip with China; the State and Defense departments did not immediately comment on the letter.
Taiwan arms sales and diplomacy
Senators urging release
The senators argued that diplomatic appearances should not come at the cost of Taiwan's deterrent capabilities and urged action on the delayed assistance.
Administration and Chinese objections
China opposes United States arms sales to Taiwan, and Xi Jinping was expected to press Trump to halt them during his Washington visit.
- Senators involved
- Mitch McConnell, John Cornyn, Lisa Murkowski and Thom Tillis
- State Department funds
- $300 million in foreign military financing approved by Congress but not advanced by the State Department
- Defense Department funds
- $1 billion in defense funds that the senators said the Pentagon had not obligated
- Pending arms package
- A separate foreign military sales package worth about $14 billion has been on hold for months
- Previously approved package
- The administration approved an $11 billion Taiwan arms package in December
- Trump's position
- Donald Trump described the delayed $14 billion package as a “very good negotiating chip” with China
- Chinese position
- China views Taiwan as its territory and has repeatedly called for United States arms sales to stop
