Presidential Office: No Info on US Suspending Arms Sales to Taiwan; Hopes for Smooth Budget Deliberation

Responding to reports that US Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao stated the US is suspending a $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan, Presidential Office spokesperson Kuo Ya-hui said today that there is currently no information regarding any adjustments to this arms sale. She also urged the legislature to complete the deliberation of the special defense budget as scheduled and avoid unnecessary complications. Foreign media reported that Hung Cao attended a Senate hearing on the 21st and stated that due to the war between the Trump administration and Iran, the US is suspending a $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan. Kuo Ya-hui, while accompanying President Lai Ching-te to the opening ceremony of the "115th Year High-Level Civil Servant Training Leap Program" today, responded to media inquiries by saying that the Presidential Office is aware of the reports, but there is currently no information regarding any adjustments by the US to this arms sale. She stated that the most important issue is for the special defense budget in the legislature to be completed smoothly as scheduled without any unnecessary complications. In addition, regarding media interest in the progress of a potential call between President Trump and President Lai, Kuo said that if there is any progress, it will be announced to the public, and they will continue to monitor the situation, thanking the public for their concern.