PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on Tuesday vowed to work closely with US President Donald J. Trump, who took office in Washington, DC on Jan. 20.
“I look forward to working closely with you and your administration,” he said in an X post.
He said the United States and the Philippines, which have a “strong and lasting” alliance, will continue to uphold their “shared vision of prosperity and security in the region.”
After Mr. Trump’s huge lead in the US presidential election, Mr. Marcos in November cited the US-Philippines “unshakable alliance,” which he said, “will be a force of good that will blaze a path of prosperity and amity, in the region, and in both sides of the Pacific.”
The stability of the South China Sea and the wider Indo-Pacific region amid China’s expansionist agenda has been at the heart of Philippine-US relations in recent years.
Washington, which has a mutual defense treaty with Manila, has been at the forefront of international condemnation of China’s intrusions into the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea.
The US was the largest destination of Philippine exports and was the fifth-largest source of Philippine imports in November 2024, the Philippine Statistics Agency said earlier this month.
On his first day in office, Mr. Trump withdrew the US from the World Health Organization and from the Paris Climate Accord.
He also revoked sanctions against Israeli settlers in the West Bank, declared a national emergency at the southern border, and reinstated Cuba as state sponsor of terrorism.
Among the world leaders who greeted Mr. Trump on his inauguration is Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who said the populist leader is “always decisive, and the peace through strength policy he announced provides an opportunity to strengthen American leadership and achieve a long-term and just peace, which is the top priority.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he expects the US-Israel alliance to hit “even greater heights.”
“I look forward to working with you to return the remaining hostages, to destroy Hamas’ military capabilities and end its political rule in Gaza, and to ensure that Gaza never again poses a threat to Israel.”
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said the US is Germany’s “closest ally and the aim of our policy is always a good transatlantic relationship.”
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Canada and the US have the “world’s most successful economic partnership.”
“We have the chance to work together again — to create more jobs and prosperity for both our nations.”
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said with Mr. Trump’s “longstanding affection and historical ties to the United Kingdom, I know that depth of friendship will continue.” — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza