The Trump administration has reaffirmed that its long-standing policy on Taiwan remains unchanged, even as it conducts a review of a proposed $14 billion follow-on arms package for the self-governing island amid intensifying military pressure from China. The reaffirmation came during a 26 June hearing before the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific in Washington.

Key Testimony Before Congress

Michael G. DeSombre, Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, told lawmakers that the administration's position rested on three pillars: the Taiwan Relations Act, the three joint communiqués, and the six assurances. 'Our long standing policy on Taiwan has not changed, which is guided by the Taiwan Relations Act, the three joint communiques and the six assurances,' DeSombre said. He added: 'We remain committed to preserving peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and oppose any unilateral change to the status quo.'

The hearing drew pointed questions from both sides of the aisle, with Democratic and Republican lawmakers pressing the administration on military assistance, deterrence strategy, and Beijing's escalating pressure on the island.

The Arms Packages: $11 Billion Approved, $14 Billion Under Review

Subcommittee chair Representative Young Kim welcomed the administration's prior approval of an $11 billion arms package for Taiwan and noted that Secretary of State Marco Rubio had informed Congress that a $14 billion follow-on package is now under presidential review. When pressed repeatedly on a timeline for formal Congressional notification, DeSombre said only that 'the President is reviewing it and he'll make that decision.'

Republican Representative Andy Barr defended the administration's record, arguing that the already-approved $11 billion package — which includes HIMARS rocket systems, ATACMS missiles, howitzers, and drones — represented an unprecedented level of commitment to Taiwan's defence. Barr also urged Congress to address delivery delays on more than $32 billion worth of previously approved military equipment by strengthening the US defence industrial base. DeSombre agreed that expanding manufacturing capacity was essential to accelerating foreign military sales.

Trump-Xi Talks and the Six Assurances Question

Representative John 'Johnny O' Olszewski Jr. questioned whether recent remarks by President Donald Trump about discussing Taiwan arms sales with Chinese President Xi Jinping were consistent with Washington's long-standing commitments. DeSombre responded that Taiwan and Taiwan arms sales were a routine subject in US-China bilateral meetings. 'Whenever we meet with China, they raise the questions of Taiwan and Taiwan arms sales,' he said. 'That is a part of almost every discussion that we have with them.' He added that this was 'not in any way a deviation from the six assurances.'

Taiwan's Own Defence Spending Under Scrutiny

Representative Kim also urged Taiwan to increase its own defence outlays, noting that while the island's legislature had approved a $25 billion defence package, it had not fully funded capabilities such as drones. DeSombre confirmed that the United States was actively encouraging Taiwan to approve additional budgetary support for further weapons purchases.

Strategic Context

Under the Taiwan Relations Act, the United States provides Taiwan with defensive arms while maintaining a policy of 'strategic ambiguity' over whether it would intervene militarily in the event of a Chinese attack. Beijing regards Taiwan as part of its territory and has stepped up military activity around the island in recent years. Washington officially recognises Beijing rather than Taipei, but remains Taiwan's principal security partner and largest supplier of defensive military equipment. Taiwan remains one of the most sensitive fault lines in US-China relations, and the latest Congressional hearing underscores how central the island has become to American foreign and defence policy deliberations.