The U.S. ambassador to China says talks on arms sales to Taiwan are continuing, denying that President Donald Trump has withheld weapons to appease Beijing.

But a proposed US$14 billion package remains on hold, even after last week’s meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Washington.

Trump put the package on hold after their May summit in Beijing, describing it as a useful bargaining chip in negotiations with China.

That raised concerns among lawmakers about Washington’s Six Assurances to Taiwan. Those pledges include a commitment not to consult Beijing on arms sales to the island nation.

Speaking on Fox News Sunday, Ambassador David Perdue said U.S. policy toward Taiwan had not changed. He cited about US$11 billion in previously approved sales and said discussions on additional weapons were continuing.

House Speaker Mike Johnson also reaffirmed U.S. support for Taiwan, telling Fox Business that arms sales across Trump’s two terms could reach US$40 billion. Perdue said Washington remained committed to the Taiwan Relations Act, which requires the United States to help Taiwan defend itself. Neither statement clarified when the pending package would be approved.

Taiwan’s representative to the United States, Alexander Yui (俞大㵢), told CBS that Washington had maintained its position despite pressure from Beijing.

Taiwan’s Defense Minister Wellington Koo (顧立雄) also said talks were continuing, with Taipei receiving no notice of changes to existing sales or cooperation.

For now, Washington’s policy assurances have not resolved the uncertainty over when the proposed package will be approved.