Taiwan doubles down on defense buildup, eyes Trump-Ukraine row 'carefully'

TAIPEI -- Top Taiwanese officials have doubled down on vows to boost defense spending and increase imports from the U.S. as they host a high-profile international security summit, amid escalating rows between U.S. President Donald Trump and traditional partners including Ukraine's leader.

In a speech to open the Halifax International Security Forum in Taipei on Thursday, President Lai Ching-te told a room full of analysts, foreign officials and visiting experts, "At this very moment, Russia's invasion of Ukraine is still ongoing. Authoritarian regimes including China, Russia, North Korea and Iran continue to consolidate. China is hurting economies around the world through its dumping [trade] practices."