Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has expressed his determination to further strengthen the country's relationship with the United States. He made the remarks before leaving for his visit to the US, where he is scheduled to meet with President Joe Biden at the White House on Monday. Marcos emphasized that he and President Biden will discuss how to reinforce their long-standing alliance as an instrument of peace and development in the Asia-Pacific region and the rest of the world.
The visit comes at a time of heightened tensions between the US and China over Taiwan and the disputed South China Sea, where the US accused China of harassing Philippine ships. Earlier this year, the Philippines granted the US greater access to its military sites, paving the way for a stronger American presence in the region. During their first bilateral meeting last September, President Biden reaffirmed the US's "ironclad commitment" to the defense of the Philippines.
One of Marcos's priorities during his US visit is to push for greater economic engagement between the two nations. He plans to explore opportunities for cooperation in areas such as semiconductors, renewable energy, and food and energy security. To this end, he will be accompanied by his economic team and some private sector executives.
Marcos also intends to discuss defense deals with President Biden, including the possibility of acquiring more military equipment to enhance the country's defense capabilities. He emphasized that his goal is to build stronger ties with the US "in a wide range of areas" that not only address current concerns but also critical issues such as climate change.
Overall, Marcos's visit to the US underscores the importance of the Philippines' relationship with its long-time ally. By strengthening ties with the US, the Philippines hopes to enhance its security and economic prospects, especially in the face of regional challenges posed by China's assertiveness.