The U.S. government has approved $1.4 billion of arms sales to Taiwan. Panjiva data shows exports to Taiwan reached $2 billion in the past two years. While growth has averaged 16% per year over the past five years they have dropped 61% this year as the prior deal winds up. Total U.S. arms exports have accelerated by 9% per year over the past five years, led by Taiwan, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. The U.K. was the only top 15 buyer to see a downturn, falling 25% annually due to the government austerity program and the winding-down of British involvement in Afghanistan and Iraq.