Trump aims to exceed first term s weapons sales to Taiwan officials say

WASHINGTON/TAIPEI - The United States plans to ramp up weapons sales to Taipei to a level exceeding President Donald Trumps first term as part of an effort to deter China as it intensifies military pressure on the democratic island, according to two US officials.

If US arms sales to Taiwan do accelerate, it could ease worries about the extent of Mr Trumps commitment to the island.

It would also add new friction to the tense US-China relationship.

The US officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said they expect US approvals for weapons sales to Taipei over the next four years to surpass those in Mr Trumps first term, with one of the officials saying arms sales notifications to Taiwan could easily exceed that earlier period.

They also said the United States is pressing members of Taiwans opposition parties not to oppose the governments efforts to increase defence spending to 3 per cent of the islands budget.

The first Trump administration approved sales of approximately US$18.3 billion (S$23.57 billion) worth of weapons to Taiwan, compared with around US$8.4 billion during Mr Joe Bidens term, according to Reuters calculations.

The United States is Taiwans most important international backer and arms supplier despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties between Washington and Taipei.

Even so, many in Taiwan, which China claims as its own, worry that Mr Trump may not be as committed to the island as past US presidents.

On the election campaign trail, Mr Trump suggested Taiwan should pay to be protected and also accused the island of stealing American semiconductor business, causing alarm in Taipei.

China has vowed to reunify with the separately governed island, by force if necessary.

Taiwans government rejects Beijings sovereignty claims, saying only the islands people can decide their future.

The US officials said administration