US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he has no objection to the Philippines maintaining good relations with China, pointing out that even the US enjoys a “very good relationship” with Beijing.
Trump made the remark after reporters asked Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. how Manila intends to navigate its ties with long-time ally Washington and regional economic powerhouse China.
“I don’t mind if he gets along with China because we’re getting along with China very well. We have a very good relationship,” Trump said. “In fact, the magnets—which is a little complex piece of material—are coming out very well.
They’re sending them in record numbers. We’re getting along with China very well, and I don’t mind if the President dealt with China.”
President Marcos, for his part, said the Philippines does not need to “balance” its relationships with the U.S. and China, noting that the country follows an independent foreign policy.
“We are essentially concerned with the defense of our territory and the exercise of our sovereign rights,” the Philippine president said. “Whether we do this alone or not, we need to do this with our partners. And again, our strongest partner has always been the United States.”
He added that the Philippines is also working to form coalitions and pursue multilateral relations with like-minded nations that adhere to international law, specifically the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
“That is how we are guided,” he said.
Trump said he has “great respect” for Marcos, and emphasized that the Filipino leader’s dealings with Beijing do not concern him. “I think he has to do what’s right for his country. I’ve always said, you know, make the Philippines great again,” Trump said. “Do whatever you need to do, but your dealing with China wouldn’t bother me at all.”
However, Trump also issued a warning about the Philippines tilting too far toward Beijing. “You did have a country that was tilting towards China for a period of time… I don’t think that would be good for you,” he said. “But you can deal with China, you should deal with China.”
Trump said he expects to have a “very good relationship” with President Marcos, noting his familiarity with the Philippine leader and his family. “I know you have some problems with another president. I know it’s not your fault.
It’s the [other] president’s fault,” Trump said.
While he did not name the previous president, the Philippines distanced itself from Washington under the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte, who cultivated closer ties with Beijing after the U.S. criticized his administration’s war on drugs.
Trump also revealed that he may travel to China soon for talks with President Xi Jinping, signaling a possible breakthrough in ongoing trade and geopolitical tensions between the two countries.
“President Xi has invited me to China, and we’ll probably be doing that in the not-too-distant future,” Trump told reporters at the White House during his meeting with Marcos Jr. “It’s a little bit out, but not too distant.”
He added that he has received invitations from “a lot of people” and will decide on his travel plans soon. Trump said the U.S. and China are now “getting along very well” and indicated that his personal relationship with Xi remains “healthy.”
If confirmed, the visit to China would mark Trump’s first face-to-face meeting with President Xi since starting his second term in January. The proposed talks could help ease tensions between the two major powers, especially as both sides seek to strengthen trade relations and manage competing regional interests in the Indo-Pacific.
