Originally posted by the Voice of America. Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America, a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in the public domain. Foreign Minister: Taiwan-US Relations Probably at Their Best Ever Ralph Jennings TAIPEI, TAIWAN - Taiwan's relations with the United States have reached their strongest point ever despite a lack of formal diplomatic ties as officials in Washington value the Asian government's role in international causes, Taiwan Foreign Minister Joseph Wu said Friday. Close ties with the United States give Taiwan military and diplomatic support that it struggles to get elsewhere because most countries recognize Beijing over Taipei. Taiwan faces a chronic military threat from nearby China. The government of U.S. President Donald Trump, though it also maintains formal ties with Beijing instead of with Taipei, is locked in a trade dispute with China and often sends naval ships to oppose Chinese maritime expansion. "I agree with most assessments that Taiwan's relations with the United States relations are very good and probably better than at any time before," Wu told VOA in an interview. He cited a pickup in recent U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, totaling some $12 billion, more high-level dialogue than before, and the welcome for Taiwan's president in the United States in July as examples. "So, if you put all this together, I think Taiwan-U.S. relations are very good," he said. More friends in the United States Taiwan has "more friends" in the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump than it has had before, Wu added, citing increased cooperation on issues that matter to Washington. Previous U.S. presidents made less frequent contact with Taiwan, approved fewer arms sales and focused more on getting along with China. Washington broke official ties with Taipei in 1979 to establish relations instead with the bigger, faster-growing China. Beijing sees Taiwan as part of China, not a state entitled to its own diplomacy. .