Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said that the economic relationship between the Philippines and the US “should keep apace” with both countries’ defense-related activities as he noted the “growing” comprehensive strategic partnership of the two sides.
Speaking at a dialogue on Sep. 22 (US time) on the sidelines of his participation at the UN General Assembly in New York, Manalo pushed to increase the Philippines-US two-way trade and investments in critical infrastructure as strategic and sensitive sectors.
“One area is critical minerals, where we also hope to increase our cooperation,” he said in his opening remarks at Asia Society.
Manalo said the country is anticipating the arrival of the first ever US Presidential Trade and Investment Mission early next year, which will coincide with the Philippines’ hosting of the Indo-Pacific Business Forum.
He said the Philippines hopes to “foster public and private partnerships as well as generate big ticket projects and priority areas” through such events.
Along with the strengthened economic ties as agreed by President Marcos and US President Joe Biden, the country’s top diplomat also called for a bolstered defense alliance between the two sides.
He said Manila is aiming not only for economic security and economic resilience but also an enhancement in the traditional security areas.
“The Philippine-US partnership should also continue to support the Philippines in enhancing our defense capabilities and building a credible deterrent against challenges to our sovereignty and territory, as well as improve our overall capacity to protect our national interests,” he said.
Noting the developments in the Indo-Pacific that threaten stability in the region, Manalo said “anxieties on geopolitical tensions should not detract or prevent the region from the pursuit of economic prosperity and development.”
“My region, Southeast Asia, is currently ahead of the global curve in post- pandemic recovery and we are committed to maintain this momentum,” he said as he vouched for the region’s capacity to be the center of growth.
On Friday, Manalo also met his US counterpart, Antony Blinken, for a trilateral talk that also included Japanese counterpart, Kamikawa Yoko.
During the diplomats’ talk, they “discussed ways to support economic resiliency and deepen trilateral cooperation on energy, infrastructure, and digital economy issues,” Matthew Miller, the US Department of State spokesman said.
The three also talked about enhancing trilateral security cooperation, including on maritime domain awareness, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief efforts.
“We are very pleased and proud today to continue the work that we’re doing to support and work with our Filipino and Japanese allies in the South China Sea and in the East China Sea,” Blinken said.
“We’re looking forward to following up on the work that we’ve already started…also to foster, to strengthen economic resilience and to promote the common prosperity of our people,” he added.
