Joe Biden and Philippines’ Marcos Jr. prioritize military ties in their meeting.
US President Joe Biden and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr are expected to establish new military cooperation guidelines during their meeting at the White House, according to US officials.
Washington, DC Meeting Seeks to Strengthen Ties Between Presidents Amidst Previous Strained Relations
President of the Philippines makes first official US visit in over a decade, coinciding with the Joe Biden administration’s efforts to counter China’s expanding influence in Asia-Pacific.
From the Oval Office, President Joe Biden mentioned that Marcos Jr had previously paid a visit to the White House alongside his father, the deposed former leader Ferdinand Marcos Sr.
President Returns to the White House. During a meeting, President Joe Biden acknowledged the length of time since the Philippines’ last visit and promised continued support for their military modernization.
Philippines Seeks to Strengthen Relationship with Sole Treaty Partner Amid Rising Tensions in the South China Sea and Asia Pacific
US and Philippine leaders are committed to strengthening their relationship and working together on shared concerns. In a joint statement issued after their meeting, they acknowledged the positive momentum in their historic partnership and pledged to further expand their engagement and cooperation.
US-China Competition
China and the United States are currently engaged in a competitive relationship. US and Philippines Hold Historic Talks In a landmark meeting, senior officials from the United States and the Philippines engaged in talks described as the first of their kind in decades. The discussions were held unprecedentedly, according to a US official who spoke to reporters on background before the meeting.
Marcos Jr Strives to Maintain Equilibrium in Country’s Ties with US and China as Both Compete for Dominance in Asia-Pacific Region. Surprisingly, the current administration’s stance on foreign relations appears to differ from that of former President Duterte, known for prioritizing ties with China.
Philippines’ Top Trading Partner is China; Marcos Jr Visits Beijing in January. Manila Expresses Concern Over Beijing’s Assertive Claim to Almost Entire South China Sea
Marcos Jr expressed his caution as he departed for Washington, DC, indicating that he was apprehensive about being caught in the middle of the superpowers. He told journalists, “We will not permit the Philippines to be employed as a base for any military operation.”
Washington Views Philippines as Crucial in Countering Possible Chinese Invasion of Taiwan
Joe Biden to Attend G7 Meeting in Japan and Quad Summit in Australia, with Focus on China
Joe Biden Administration Official Suggests China’s Recent Signalling May Bring Philippines Closer to the US Ahead of Meeting with Marcos Jr.
A recent statement by Beijing’s ambassador to Manila has caused concern among some individuals who interpreted it as a “veiled threat.” The ambassador reportedly warned the Philippines against supporting Taiwan’s independence, citing the potential impact on the approximately 150,000 overseas foreign Filipino workers residing in Taiwan. This comment was referenced by an official in a recent statement.
Senior Joe Biden Administration Official Expresses Surprise at China’s Actions, Says Marcos Jr. Concerned Individual Expresses Concern Over China’s Actions Despite Desire for Collaboration with Both Countries
the military Bases
A Look into the Backbone of National Defence
Manila Grants US Access to Four More Military Bases Under Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement Recently, the two allies have conducted their largest-ever military maneuvers.
The White House has announced that a recent agreement was finalized during the visit of Marcos Jr. As per the agreement, the Joe Biden administration will transfer three C-130 aircraft to the Philippines and consider sending more patrol vessels.
US and Philippines to Institutionalise Defence Guidelines for Deeper Alliance Cooperation and Interoperability Across Various Domains
In a joint statement, it was revealed that President Joe Biden had reiterated the importance of the 1951 Mutual Defence Treaty. The treaty emphasizes the significance of protecting the Philippine armed forces, public vessels, and aircraft in the Pacific region from any armed attack.
The White House has reported that Joe Biden and Marcos Jr have engaged in talks regarding economic cooperation. The discussions included plans to send a trade and investment mission to Manila, support the implementation of 5G telecommunications technology, and initiate public-private financing for critical minerals and “smart” power grid development.
Philippines President’s Visit Amidst Ongoing US Court Judgement for $2bn Plundered Wealth During Father’s Rule Younger Marcos, as the head of state, is immune from prosecution in the US.
The Philippines, a former US colony, has maintained strong ties with Washington even after gaining full independence in 1946.
Philippine-US relations have remained strong despite the controversial leadership of former President Marcos Sr. During his presidency, which began in 1965, Marcos Sr. faced allegations of human rights violations and was accused of consolidating power. This included the declaration of martial law in 1972, the suspension of parliament, the arrest of political opponents, and the takeover of the courts. Despite these challenges, the relationship between the Philippines and the US deepened.
During his tenure, there were allegations of widespread corruption and theft from the government. In 1986, the “people power” uprising led to the elder Marcos fleeing into exile in Hawaii with the help of Washington.
