Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday (Tuesday in Manila) secured a renewed commitment from U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration that it will strive to maintain peace and stability in the Indo-pacific region.
A day before his talks with Trump in Washington, Marcos met separately with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Hegseth told Marcos that the Indo-Pacific, including the South China Sea, is “our priority theater” as the two began their talks.
“The United States is committed to achieving peace through strength and willing to work with all nations who share this desire in the region,” the Pentagon chief said. “We do not seek confrontation, but we are and will be ready and resolute.”
According to the State Department, Rubio and Marcos reaffirmed their shared commitment to deterrence and strengthening freedoms of navigation and overflight in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.
They also looked forward to continuing high-level engagement between the two countries, which next year mark the 80th anniversary of their diplomatic relations, according to the department.
Marcos is the first leader from Southeast Asia to hold in-person talks with Trump during his second term, reflecting the importance the United States continues to attach to the Philippines, which has been struggling with China’s aggressive territorial ambitions in the South China Sea.
During the meeting on Tuesday between the two presidents, however, officials have said trade issues are likely to top the agenda.
Along with more than 20 trading partners, Trump earlier this month informed the Philippines of a new country-specific tariff rate due to take effect on Aug. 1.
Under Trump’s so-called reciprocal scheme, the Philippines now faces a tariff rate of 20 percent, up from the 17 percent the U.S. leader announced in early April.
