US Pauses Massive Taiwan Weapons Deal Amid Tensions | NewsX World

Added: 2026-05-22

[00:00:00]This hour, we have some news coming in with regards to the United States of America. The United [snorts] States has paused a historic $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan to safeguard domestic missile stockpiles for [snorts] its ongoing conflict with Iran. Acting Navy Secretary Hong Tao confirmed the freeze during a Senate hearing, stating that resources must prioritize Operation Epic Fury even as Washington navigates a fragile ceasefire. The massive air defense package features Patriot PAC-3 interceptors and nine NASAMS units. The freeze coincides with an escalation in regional friction. Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense detected six Chinese military aircraft and 10 naval vessels operating around the island.

[00:00:49]With all six sorties crossing the median line into Taiwan's air defense identification zone.

[00:00:56]Geopolitically, the pause has upended traditional norms. President Donald Trump openly declared he discussed the weapons freeze with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, signaling his intent to treat the historic defense package as a direct negotiating chip. Now, joining us live to tell us more is Alon Pinkas, former Israeli diplomat and foreign policy adviser to former Israeli PM Ehud Barak, joining us live from Tel Aviv. Mr. Pinkas, thank you so much for joining us.

[00:01:31]Good with you. Fantastic. Let's dive right in. Sir, with regards to this arms sale to Taiwan that's essentially not going to be in effect right now as it has been paused, do you essentially believe that it will come into fruition in time? Or do you believe that with regards to Operation Epic Fury that the priority is still there and with that being said, then the repercussions are in the next week or so, we can see further attacks on Iran. What are your What are your thoughts, sir?

[00:02:02]I I I think Roshan that the official line, which is really an excuse that the weapons systems are required for replenishment as a result of the war in Iran and depleted our stockpiles, um that that is not serious. I think the decision was made after President Trump's visit to Beijing.

[00:02:24]Mhm. I think that um the visit failed. His meetings with Xi Jinping showed a clear change in balance of power between those two. Not necessarily yet between the US and China, but certainly between these two.

[00:02:40]Um the Chinese [clears throat] went to great lengths to explain and and describe that the issue of Taiwan figured prominently in those talks.

[00:02:52]And Trump, for his part, when asked about Taiwan, he said, "We will see."

[00:02:57]The moment he said, "We will see," it was clear that he gave up on Taiwan.

[00:03:03]Um now, whether or not that has an impact, I go now back to your original question, Roshan, whether or not that has an impact on the possibility or the likelihood of a resumption of war remains to be seen because I think that the Americans, you know, the those specific arms um and munitions and weapons systems that were included in the Taiwan package are not necessarily critical to a decision to renew the war in Iran.

[00:03:32]And I think that's a decision that's a political decision that Trump is going to have to make in the in the next few days. So, I I I think it's just about if we look at it from a broader perspective, Roshan, Mhm. uh this is the US abdicating its responsibilities and reneging on its promises. Remember that President Biden uh predecessor, although there is no defense pact or treaty between or alliance between the US and Taiwan commits several times to defend Taiwan. Or at least to provide them with the weapons necessary for self-defense. And here comes Trump who basically gave up on Ukraine, gave up on his Arab Gulf partners and now is sort of sacrificing Taiwan for for so he could claim later in 2 weeks or in 2 months or in 6 months some kind of a a grand trade deal with China.

[00:04:32]Mhm. So essentially [snorts] then if there is no correlation of sorts and you mentioned that President Trump said he will see. It's almost as similar to an individual saying to an evening dinner plan that maybe I'll make it, right? So in the next 3 to 6 months then are you essentially saying that this deal could go through?

[00:04:53]Conceivably yes.

[00:04:56]You know, but but other people look on the one hand he has been criticized for a failed and botched visit to Beijing. You know, there were there were all these punchlines about how Xi Jinping made him shine his shoes and how when he entered for the first time in history an American president walks into the presidential palace in Beijing and he is not not the strongest man in that room but rather Xi Jinping is and and and Trump for whom optics and perception and image is is everything took that seriously and and I think that he was insulted in a way.

[00:05:40]And if Taiwan has to pay the price so Taiwan will pay the price. Now on the other hand he has been uh lauded by others who are saying, "Okay, look what he did. Yeah, you could call it failure, you could call it humiliation, you could go uh um as far as calling it whatever you want, but in essence, he lowered the uh the rhetoric. He was not as belligerent.

[00:06:04]He was not as aggressive. Remember, this is a man who announced a few months ago that he's imposing 90% 9 0 90% tariffs on China. Mhm. Uh this is a man who basically, you know, upped the ante in terms of enmity with China.

[00:06:22]And now And now he's doing something that that the Chinese regard as extremely critical and important for them. Mhm. Um Taiwan. And so I am not at all sure this is going to go through.

[00:06:32]There could be some kind of a, you know, a watered-down version, a smaller deal uh for half the money uh with the US giving China assurances that these are defensive systems rather than offensive systems, as if as if Taiwan will ever attack China. But that's beside the point. Um no, I I I If I were If I were Taiwanese, if I were in the Taiwanese government, if I were the prime minister of Taiwan, uh I would have to assume the worst, meaning that this deal will not go through in its current configuration.

[00:07:06]Right, Mr. Brinkosh. Very interesting perspectives. Please stay with us. We'll be right back with you. Next up, we have some news coming out of Israel with regards to the Italian activists. 15 Italian act