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November 19, 2024 – 08:58
Manila, Nov 19 (EFE).- The Secretary of Defense of the United States, Lloyd Austin, promised this Tuesday continued support and without changes in foreign policy to the Philippines, before Donald Trump assumes the Presidency, amid complaints from Manila about China’s growing aggressiveness in its territorial claims.
“I think (the Philippines) will be an important country for us for many years,” Austin said at a press conference during his official visit to the Asian country, “and I don’t expect many changes in policies” from Washington.
Trump’s return to power has raised concerns in Asia over a possible weakening of military pacts that could benefit China, and in recent weeks several Filipino politicians have called on the government to prepare for a possible shift in Washington’s policies.
«USA. “The United States is deeply committed to the defense of the Philippines (…) and we will continue to support your country as an ally and friend,” Austin emphasized from a base of the Philippine armed forces in the island province of Palawan, in the southwest of the Asian country.
The head of the Pentagon was accompanied by his Filipino counterpart, Gilberto Teodoro, who denounced China’s “very aggressive” stance in denying access to areas in the South China Sea that Manila considers its exclusive economic zone, and that Beijing disputes.
Teodoro also accused China of being “very aggressive in its information operations against the Philippines,” a day after Manila and Washington signed an agreement to share military intelligence.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian declared that same day that such an agreement could exacerbate regional tensions, statements that the Philippine Secretary of Defense described as out of place because it was a bilateral issue.
The Philippines has maintained a mutual defense treaty with the United States since 1951, which the current outgoing president, Joe Biden, strengthened with complementary agreements during his administration with greater bilateral understanding with the current Philippine president, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, after the mandate of former president Rodrigo Duterte (2016-2022), who reached out to China.
This treaty has gained particular relevance in recent years due to territorial disputes between the Philippines and China, centered on Scarborough Atoll and a handful of atolls in the Spratly archipelago.
Philippine authorities defend that the atolls in dispute are within 200 nautical miles (370 kilometers) of their zone of economic exclusivity, which according to international law gives them the right to exploit resources even if they are international waters.
Beijing cites historical reasons for claiming almost the entire South China Sea, rich in resources and key to global trade. EFE
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What are the key factors that could influence the future of U.S.-Philippines relations as the Trump administration establishes its foreign policy priorities?
Interview with Mr. David Santiago, Director of the Asian Studies Department at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and Ms. Maria Garcia, Resident Fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) on the potential implications of the US-Philippines foreign policy under the incoming Trump administration and its impact on regional security:
David, as an expert on Asian affairs, what do you think are the main concerns of the Philippines regarding the change in leadership in the US?
Maria, as a Resident Fellow at CSIS, can you elaborate on the potential impact of the US-Philippines mutual defense treaty on the ongoing disputes between the two countries and China?
David, how do you anticipate the foreign policy of the Philippines towards China might shift under the new administration, given the unease about its growing assertiveness in the South China Sea?
Maria, how do you see the role of the Philippines in maintaining stability in the region amid these tensions, and what steps can the US take to support Manila’s efforts?
David, what are some specific areas where there may be common ground for collaboration between the US and the Philippines under President Trump?
Maria, do you think the recent signing of a military intelligence-sharing agreement between the United States and the Philippines could potentially escalate tensions in the region, as suggested by China?
David, how might the Trump administration’s commitment to defending the Philippines differ from that of the current administration, and what can we expect in terms of military presence and support?
Maria, what are the implications of the partnership between the US and the Philippines for other countries in the region, such as Japan and Australia, who have also been concerned about China’s growing influence?
David, how do you assess the potential impact of the Philippines’ bilateral relations with China on its ties with the US under the new administration?
Maria, what role might multilateral forums like ASEAN play in de-escalating tensions in the region, and how can the US engage more effectively with them?
