Congressional legislators from both parties have accused the Trump administration of dragging its feet on the sale of $8 billion worth of F-16 fighter jets to Taiwan, The New York Times reports.
The 66 jets would be the largest purchase by the Taiwanese government in several years, and has been met with objections from Chinese officials. Legislators, including top-ranking Republicans and Democrats in Congress, have begun questioning if the Trump administration has intentionally delayed the sale, possibly because of China.
"Our support for Taiwan through arms transfers is not up for negotiation with Beijing," Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, the ranking member on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, told the Times on Monday.
"I will support the sale of F-16s to Taiwan as soon as the State Department notices them to our committee, which I expect to happen soon," he added.
Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., the ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said the Trump administration "is possibly obstructing the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Taiwan so the president can use them as leverage in his failing trade war with China."
He added, "Taiwan's defense cannot be a bargaining chip to be cashed in for a smile from China's dictatorship."
Leading legislators on foreign policy expected the State Department to approve the sale last week, before the House broke for recess, but Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has yet to sign off on it. The Senate recesses Friday, and Congress will not reconvene until Sept. 9.
The State Department, Treasury Department and White House National Security Council declined to comment to the Times.
© 2026 Newsmax. All rights reserved.