Taiwan’s government says the United States “very much” understands the island’s defence needs, even as a roughly $14 billion US arms package remains stuck awaiting President Donald Trump’s approval.

Deputy Foreign Minister Chen Ming-chi told reporters in Taipei on Sunday that Washington’s policy toward Taiwan remains unchanged after Trump’s latest talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. He pointed to China’s continued military build-up despite its economic difficulties. Taiwan had received repeated assurances from US officials, he added.

Trump said in May, after meeting Xi in Beijing, that he was keeping the package in “abeyance” and later called it a “very good negotiating chip.” The sale would follow a record $11 billion package unveiled last December.

US Ambassador to China David Perdue told CNBC there has been no change in US Taiwan policy, including on arms sales. Under US law, Washington must provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself, a commitment Beijing has repeatedly asked Washington to end.