In a significant diplomatic move, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has underscored the United States’ dedication to maintaining its trilateral partnership with the Philippines and Japan during the Trump administration. This commitment was reiterated during a bilateral meeting with Japan’s Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi in Washington DC on January 22, Manila time.
According to a statement from the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, both ministers agreed on the necessity of enhancing coordination among like-minded nations, including the Japan-US-Republic of Korea, Japan-Australia-India-US, and Japan-US-Philippines alliances. Additionally, a separate statement from the State Department highlighted discussions on how the US and Japan could collaborate to address ongoing threats in the Indo-Pacific region and globally, particularly focusing on countering China’s destabilizing actions.
During his visit to Manila on January 15, Iwaya emphasized the critical role of the trilateral Japan-US-Philippines relationship in promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific. He noted that Southeast Asia’s strategic location and its status as a global growth center make partnerships in the region essential for maintaining peace and stability.
Iwaya also expressed intentions to engage with the incoming US administration to stress the importance of the United States’ constructive involvement in the region, not only for regional stability but also for the US itself.
On the same day, the foreign ministers of the QUAD countries—Rubio, Iwaya, Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong—reaffirmed their commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, emphasizing the importance of upholding the rule of law, democratic values, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
During his confirmation hearing, Rubio labeled Beijing’s actions in the Asia Pacific as ‘deeply destabilizing’ and called on China to avoid any rash or irrational moves concerning the Philippines or Taiwan, stressing the need for stability in US-China relations.