On Tuesday, a top diplomat said Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. might raise Taiwan concerns with U.S. counterpart Joe Biden at the White House next week, but the focus would be trade and investment.
Reuters said that Marcos would focus on energy, climate, and commerce during his first official visit to Washington on May 1.
“China, of course, is our number one trading partner,” said Romualdez, Marcos’ cousin who also served in the previous government.
Japan trades too. We want to trade more with the U.S.”
He said the Philippines asked Congress to renew its 2020 U.S. trade favors for emerging economies.
The Philippines has conducted several high-level discussions with leaders of the U.S. and China, competing for strategic advantage in the area.
Marcos met President Xi Jinping in Beijing in January and the foreign minister last week.
Romualdez said he might address Taiwan with Biden but wants to avoid controversy.
“On a clear day, from the northermost part of the country, you can see Taiwan,” he remarked. That’s close.
It will impact us… If something occurs in Taiwan, the entire globe will be affected, especially ASEAN (Southeast Asia).
He said the Philippines does not want China to “feel that we are out on an offensive because of our relationship with the United States…” So we’re doing everything for national defense.”
China accuses the Philippines of creating tensions by virtually increasing the locations the U.S. military may visit under their defense deal. Some bases face Taiwan north.
Since Marcos reversed his predecessor’s anti-U.S. position in June, treaty allies have had better relations. Over 17,000 Philippine and U.S. soldiers are training together.
Beijing’s South China Sea military expansion is also raising concerns.
Marcos said on Monday he would encourage Biden to clarify Washington’s commitment to safeguarding the Philippines under a 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, citing “heating” regional tensions.
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