Taipei, Feb. 15 -- Taiwan President William Lai has announced plans to increase the country's defence spending to at least 3 per cent of GDP in 2025, hours after US President Donald Trump reiterated his intent to impose tariffs on Taiwanese semiconductor imports, Taipei Times reported.

Speaking at a news conference on Wednesday in Taipei following his first high-level national security meeting of the year, Lai said the government would propose a special budget to meet the 3 per cent target. He emphasised Taiwan's commitment to safeguarding its sovereignty, reinforcing its self-defence capabilities, and enhancing national security in response to rising threats from authoritarian regimes.

The move to expand defence spending aligns with Ta...