In a significant virtual summit, President Joe Biden of the United States expressed admiration for President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. of the Philippines for his diplomatic handling of tensions with China in the South China Sea. The meeting, which also included Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru, underscored the robust trilateral relationship among the three nations, focusing on deepening cooperation in maritime security, economic resilience, and technological advancement.
The leaders convened to reaffirm their commitment to the partnership that has seen substantial progress since their last gathering in Washington in April 2024. Biden highlighted the strides made in maritime security, economic security, technology cooperation, and infrastructure investments, expressing a desire to further these efforts. Marcos echoed this sentiment, expressing confidence in the continued collaboration among the three countries.
Biden specifically praised Marcos for his leadership in countering China’s aggressive actions in the South China Sea, emphasizing the importance of a lasting partnership. He expressed optimism that his successor would recognize the value of this trilateral alliance. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Ishiba of Japan emphasized the strategic necessity of enhancing cooperation across various sectors to maintain unity among the nations.