Latest news with #Philippine-US
GMA Network
21 hours ago
- Business
- GMA Network
Marcos: PH-US reaffirm alliance on economy, security after visit
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Wednesday that he, US President Donald Trump, and other key American officials had 'productive discussions' during his three-day official visit as Manila and Washington, D.C. reaffirmed their commitments. 'We've reaffirmed our mutual commitment to further strengthening our long-standing alliance and growing our economies for the benefit of the people and in pursuit of our national interests,' said Marcos in a statement following his arrival on Wednesday evening. 'We exchange views on key regional and international security issues, focusing on how the two countries could cooperate and contribute towards addressing common challenges and priorities.' Security Marcos said he and Trump reaffirmed the two countries' 'ironclad commitment' to the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty amid growing tension in the Indo-Pacific region. 'I thank the United States for its consistent support for the preservation of regional peace and stability and for upholding the rule of law in the South China Sea,' said Marcos. 'We discussed enhanced cooperation on cybersecurity, energy supply, resilience and critical infrastructure. I underscored the importance of our multilateral engagement, especially with neighboring countries to continue to reinforce the network of common alliances in the region,' he added. Economy Marcos also welcomed the US government's pledge of an additional $15 million for private sector development under the Luzon Economic Corridor Initiative and an additional $48 million in foreign assisted projects. 'We will continue to work with the State Department as well with the US Congress for the implementation of these programs,' he said. 'I conveyed to President Trump that we remain positive about the future of Philippine-US trade, including investment relations, especially in the context of economic security and a fair, balanced reciprocal trade. We expressed our commitment to continue engaging his team to further bolster Philippine-US ties and strengthen Philippines economic security.' Marcos also met with business leaders and top executives of leading global investment, healthcare, infrastructure, and semiconductor companies. 'We return to the Philippines with over $21 billion in investment pledges that have the potential to create thousands of direct and indirect jobs for Filipinos within our country,' he shared. Further, Marcos was also welcomed by Secretary of State and National Security Adviser Marco Rubio, and US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in different meetings where they discussed maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea and the Indo-Pacific region. Following his visit, Marcos also expressed his intent to host Trump next year to attend the ASEAN Summit in Manila, which also coincides with the 80th anniversary of the Philippines and US diplomatic relations and the 75 years of the Mutual Defense Treaty. 'The United States is our oldest and only treaty ally, and my visit to meet the new president is important in advancing our historic and dynamic cooperation, mutual respect and shared strategic interests,' the Philippine leader said. Relief efforts Moreover, Marcos thanked the US government for its assistance to the Philippines in relief efforts as most parts of the country are affected by the heavy downpour and flooding due to the Southwest Monsoon. 'Finally, I would like to express my sincere thanks to the US government and its people, not only for their warm hospitality during my short visit, but also for extending support to our response efforts in aiding communities and areas affected by the Southwest Monsoon,' he said. 'Sa gitna ng kalidad, inuuna ng inyong pamahalaan ang kaligtasan, kalusugan at kapakanan ng bawat Pilipino. Patuloy ang ating pagtugon sa epekto ng malakas na pag-ulan at pagbaha dulot ng Habagat sa iba't-ibang panig ng bansa,' Marcos added. (In the middle of calamity, your government prioritizes the safety, health and welfare of every Filipino. Our efforts to respond to the heavy rain and flooding caused by the Habagat in different parts of the country will continue.) — RF, GMA Integrated News
Filipino Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Filipino Times
Marcos begins US visit, to push for stronger alliance and talks on tariff relief
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. arrived at Joint Base Andrews on Sunday afternoon for a three-day official visit aimed at deepening Philippine-US ties and pushing for progress on trade, investment, and security cooperation. Welcomed by Philippine Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez and US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson, Marcos begins his first Washington trip under President Donald Trump's current term. He is also the first Southeast Asian leader hosted by Trump since his return to the White House in January. Malacañang said the visit reaffirms the long-standing treaty alliance between Manila and Washington, grounded in 'mutual respect, prosperity, and regional stability.' Before leaving Manila, Marcos stressed that addressing the newly raised 20% US tariff on Philippine exports is a top priority. He vowed to push for a bilateral trade agreement to soften its impact and secure long-term access to the American market. 'My meeting with President Trump is essential to advancing our national interests and strengthening our alliance,' Marcos said. 'We will reaffirm our commitment to our long-standing alliances as an instrument of peace and development in the Asia-Pacific and beyond.' A trade delegation led by Trade Secretary Cristina Roque arrived ahead of Marcos to continue technical talks with US officials on the tariff issue.
Filipino Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Filipino Times
Marcos Heads to US for Talks With Trump on Trade, Security
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. departed for Washington, D.C. on Sunday for an official visit aimed at strengthening Philippine-US economic and defense relations. During his send-off speech at Villamor Air Base, Marcos highlighted his intent to negotiate a bilateral trade deal with the United States, signaling the Philippines' readiness for deeper collaboration. 'I intend to convey to President Trump and his cabinet officials that the Philippines is ready to negotiate a bilateral trade deal that will ensure strong, mutually beneficial, and future-oriented collaborations that only the United States and the Philippines will be able to take advantage of,' Marcos said. The three-day visit, which runs from July 20 to 22, will include meetings with US President Donald Trump, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Marcos also emphasized that while the agenda will focus on defense and security, trade issues — especially the 20% tariff on Filipino goods — will be a key part of discussions. 'This visit reaffirms our commitment to fostering our long-standing alliances as an instrument of peace and a catalyst of development in the Asia-Pacific region and around the world,' he added. Several American businesses are also seeking to meet with the Philippine leader, according to Department of Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Raquel Solano. Marcos is expected to invite Trump to attend the East Asia Summit, which the Philippines will host during its ASEAN chairmanship in 2026. Marcos is the first ASEAN head of state to make an official visit to the US under Trump's current term.
HKFP
28-04-2025
- Politics
- HKFP
Beijing says handled Philippine ‘infringement' at disputed reef in South China Sea
China's coast guard said Sunday it had 'dealt with' a situation involving six Filipinos who it accused of illegally landing on a disputed reef, after Beijing's state media said the tiny sandbank had recently come under Chinese control. Beijing claims sovereignty over almost all of the South China Sea and has waved away competing assertions from other countries in the region as well as an international ruling that its position has no legal basis. China and the Philippines have engaged in months of confrontations in the contested waters, and Manila is currently taking part in sweeping joint military drills with the United States that Beijing has slammed as destabilising. Chinese coast guard spokesperson Liu Dejun said in a statement Sunday evening that six personnel from the Philippines had earlier that day 'illegally boarded' the Tiexian Reef, also known as Sandy Cay, despite 'warnings and dissuasion' from the Chinese side. Liu said that Chinese coast guard personnel then 'boarded the reef and investigated and dealt with it in accordance with the law'. The statement did not provide further details on the encounter or the identities of the six people from the Philippines. 'We urge the Philippines to immediately stop its infringement,' Liu said, adding that the actions 'violated China's territorial sovereignty'. The sandbank, part of the Spratly Islands, lies near Thitu Island, also called Pag-asa and the site of a Philippine military facility. Chinese state media said Saturday that the country's coast guard 'implemented maritime control' over the Tiexian Reef during the middle of April. State broadcaster CCTV said in the report that the coast guard landed on Sandy Cay to 'exercise sovereignty and jurisdiction' over the reef, carry out an 'inspection' and 'collect video evidence regarding the illegal activities of the Philippine side'. The broadcaster published a photograph of five black-clad people standing on the uninhabited reef as a dark inflatable boat bobbed in the nearby water. Another shot showed four coast guard officials posing with a national flag on the reef's white surface, in what CCTV described as a 'vow of sovereignty'. The group also 'cleaned up leftover plastic bottles, wooden sticks and other debris and garbage on the reef', the broadcaster said. The Financial Times reported an unnamed Philippine maritime official as saying that the Chinese coast guard had left after unfurling the flag. There do not appear to be any signs that China has permanently occupied the reef or has built a structure on it. Philippine-US drills In recent months, Beijing and Manila have blamed each other for causing what they describe as the ecological degradation of several disputed landforms in the South China Sea. China's state news agency Xinhua on Friday cited a report from the natural resources ministry that it said 'debunked' Manila's allegations that Beijing's land reclamation projects had harmed the local environment. Philippine forces are present on Thitu Island and Manila inaugurated a coast guard monitoring base there in 2023 in an effort to counter what it describes as Chinese aggression. On Monday, the Philippine and US militaries launched three weeks of annual joint exercises called 'Balikatan', or 'shoulder to shoulder', which will include an integrated air and missile defence simulation for the first time. US Marine Corps Lieutenant General James Glynn said at the opening ceremony in Manila that the two sides would 'demonstrate not just our will to uphold our mutual defence treaty in existence since 1951 but our matchless capability to do so'. 'Nothing builds bonds more quickly than shared adversity,' he said, without specifying a common threat. Beijing said the manoeuvres 'undermine regional strategic stability' and accused Manila of 'collusion with countries outside the region'.
Straits Times
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
China says handled Philippine ‘infringement' at disputed reef
BEIJING - China's coast guard said on April 27 it had 'dealt with' a situation involving six Filipinos who it accused of illegally landing on a disputed reef, after Beijing's state media said the tiny sandbank had recently come under Chinese control. Beijing claims sovereignty over almost all of the South China Sea and has waved away competing assertions from other countries in the region as well as an international ruling that its position has no legal basis. China and the Philippines have engaged in months of confrontations in the contested waters, and Manila is currently taking part in sweeping joint military drills with the United States that Beijing has slammed as destabilising. Chinese coast guard spokesperson Liu Dejun said in a statement the evening of April 27 that six personnel from the Philippines had earlier that day 'illegally boarded' the Tiexian Reef, also known as Sandy Cay, despite 'warnings and dissuasion' from the Chinese side. Mr Liu said that Chinese coast guard personnel then 'boarded the reef and investigated and dealt with it in accordance with the law'. The statement did not provide further details on the encounter or the identities of the six people from the Philippines. 'We urge the Philippines to immediately stop its infringement,' Mr Liu said, adding that the actions 'violated China's territorial sovereignty'. The sandbank, part of the Spratly Islands, lies near Thitu Island, also called Pag-asa and the site of a Philippine military facility. Chinese state media said on April 26 that the country's coast guard 'implemented maritime control' over the Tiexian Reef during the middle of April. State broadcaster CCTV said in the report that the coast guard landed on Sandy Cay to 'exercise sovereignty and jurisdiction' over the reef, carry out an 'inspection' and 'collect video evidence regarding the illegal activities of the Philippine side'. The broadcaster published a photograph of five black-clad people standing on the uninhabited reef as a dark inflatable boat bobbed in the nearby water. Another shot showed four coast guard officials posing with a national flag on the reef's white surface, in what CCTV described as a 'vow of sovereignty'. The group also 'cleaned up leftover plastic bottles, wooden sticks and other debris and garbage on the reef', the broadcaster said. The Financial Times reported an unnamed Philippine maritime official as saying that the Chinese coast guard had left after unfurling the flag. There do not appear to be any signs that China has permanently occupied the reef or has built a structure on it. Philippine-US drills In recent months, Beijing and Manila have blamed each other for causing what they describe as the ecological degradation of several disputed landforms in the South China Sea. China's state news agency Xinhua on April 25 cited a report from the natural resources ministry that it said 'debunked' Manila's allegations that Beijing's land reclamation projects had harmed the local environment. Philippine forces are present on Thitu Island and Manila inaugurated a coast guard monitoring base there in 2023 in an effort to counter what it describes as Chinese aggression. On April 21, the Philippine and US militaries launched three weeks of annual joint exercises called 'Balikatan', or 'shoulder to shoulder', which will include an integrated air and missile defence simulation for the first time. US Marine Corps Lieutenant-General James Glynn said at the opening ceremony in Manila that the two sides would 'demonstrate not just our will to uphold our mutual defence treaty in existence since 1951 but our matchless capability to do so'. 'Nothing builds bonds more quickly than shared adversity,' he said, without specifying a common threat. Beijing said the manoeuvres 'undermine regional strategic stability' and accused Manila of 'collusion with countries outside the region'. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
