President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said that the Philippines and the United States have identified "concrete steps" to keep their alliance "relevant and responsive" to emerging challenges, such as in security, among others.

Marcos said this amid recent tensions in the West Philippine Sea that led to the President denying China's claim that the Philippines vowed to remove its ship from portions of the disputed waters.

In his speech during the US-ASEAN Business Council in Malacañang, the President said that he and US President Joseph Biden had identified measures to keep the relationship between the Philippines and the US relevant, especially amid emerging challenges.

"With the US, our engagements are now grounded on a two-pronged, very simple foreign policy approach, and that is the promotion of peace and, of course, the protection of the national interest," Marcos said.

"As a testament to the positive momentum in our bilateral relations, President Biden and I have identified concrete steps to ensure that our alliance and partnership remain relevant, responsive to current emerging challenges in the defense, security, and economic spheres," he added.

By shoring up their individual and collective capabilities, President Marcos said both the Philippines and the US can advance their countries and the Indo-Pacific Region's security, stability, and economic prosperity.

"The evolution of geopolitics and the global economy have lumped all of these elements together. We cannot approach any of these elements separately without seeing the effects that one has on the other," he said.

"I certainly welcome the US government's commitment to follow through with major economic initiatives, and I hope we will be able to see them come to fruition in the succeeding months," he added.

According to Marcos, the US remains the Philippines' leading strategic trading and investment partner.

The Chief Executive had called for enhanced economic engagement between the two countries to boost two-way trade and investment, especially in critical sectors such as infrastructure, agriculture, and clean energy.

"We certainly value the US' contributions to our economic development and our post-pandemic recovery, and we are fortunate that our economic goals complement those of the US," he said.

"I have made it clear that supporting agriculture and food security, promoting energy security, transitioning to clean energy, boosting trade, increasing the resilience of our supply chains, and enhancing connectivity and digitalization, amongst others, are our priority areas that will set the direction of our economic policies," he added.

In response, the US Ambassador to the Philippines, MaryKay Carlson, said the US was "very honored" to be the Philippines' ally.

“Economic security is national security, and we in the United States are very honored to be your steadfast friends, your allies, and also your key partner in prosperity,” she said.

Early this week, President Marcos said the government would study the US proposal to have an agreement to boost the nursing industry in both countries.

Source:
courtesy of MANILA BULLETIN

by ARGYLL CYRUS GEDUCOS

If you have any stories or news that you would like to share with the global online community, please feel free to share it with us by contacting us directly at [email protected]