Trump Doesn’t Mind Philippines Building Ties with China
(MENAFN) US President Donald Trump stated on Tuesday that he “won’t mind” if the Philippines and China “get along,” despite ongoing strains between the two Asian countries over the contested South China Sea.
“I don’t mind if he (President Ferdinand Marcos) gets along with China, because we’re getting along with China very well,” Trump remarked while receiving Marcos at the White House during his official visit.
The session was part of Marcos’ three-day diplomatic trip to the United States, during which the nations also concluded a commercial pact.
Under the arrangement, Trump introduced a 19% duty on goods arriving from the Southeast Asian state.
“There is no need to balance our relationship between the United States and China. Our foreign policy is an independent one,” Marcos informed journalists, sitting alongside Trump, according to a release from the Presidential Communications office of the Philippines.
Speaking directly to Marcos, Trump added: “I think he has to do what’s right for his country. I’ve always said, you know, make the Philippines great again. Do whatever you need to do.”
The Philippines, a historic security partner of the US in the Indo-Pacific region, accommodates American forces and grants access to its defense installations.
The pair have upheld a joint defense accord since 1951.
Reacting to the intensifying US-Philippines collaboration, Beijing urged the two nations to ensure their alliance does not threaten or adversely impact any third party, as friction in the South China Sea continues to rise.
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