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Donald Trump has suggested increasing taxes on the wealthiest Americans, challenging typical Republican views, in an attempt to fund broader tax breaks that are currently under discussion in Congress.

The President of the United States has put forward a proposal to raise taxes nearly to 40 percent for those earning over $2.5 million annually. This marks the beginning of his discussions with congressional Republicans regarding the specifics of a new fiscal plan he aims to implement within the year.

“The president is contemplating allowing the tax rate for individuals making $2.5 million or more to return from the current 37 percent to the pre-2017 level of 39.6 percent. This adjustment will aid in financing substantial tax cuts for the middle and working classes while safeguarding Medicaid,” said a source acquainted with Trump’s intentions on Thursday, mentioning the government healthcare program for low-income families.

Trump’s proposal would mark a major break from the traditional Republican low-tax approach to high earners — and drew criticism from some rightwing groups who said it was more akin to a Democratic policy.

It comes as the White House and Republicans on Capitol Hill try to accelerate the fiscal package, which would extend Trump’s sweeping 2017 tax cuts, which are set to expire next year.

The tax bill is Trump’s highest legislative priority on the economy but has been overshadowed early in his second term by the global trade war he launched on April 2, which included an array of high tariffs imposed on US trading partners.

The negotiations among Republican lawmakers have also revealed disagreements over how to pay for the tax cuts and other measures in the package.

As well as considering higher taxes for the wealthiest households, Trump has also signalled his willingness to end the preferential tax treatment of hedge fund and private equity profits known as “carried interest”, in a potential blow to Wall Street.

Alongside the taxes on financiers and wealthy Americans, however, lawmakers are also considering raising the “Salt cap”, a move that would allow property owners to deduct as much as $30,000 dollars in state and local levies from their tax bill.

The current limit of $10,000 was set in Trump’s 2017 tax package. The new limit would amount to a significant tax break in many prosperous US neighbourhoods.

“It’s still an ongoing discussion amongst the members, and I think we’ll find the right point,” Mike Johnson, the Republican House Speaker, told reporters.

Trump’s consideration of an increase in taxes for the wealthiest Americans drew a swift backlash from conservative anti-tax groups.

“Raising the top tax rate to 39.6 per cent is a Kamala Harris proposal. She lost the election to President Trump. No need to adopt her tax hike,” said Americans for Tax Reform, which opposes all tax increases.