MANILA – United States President Joe Biden is set to host Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Japan Prime Minister Kishida Fumio at the White House on April 11.
In a statement released by White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on Tuesday, the three leaders will hold a trilateral leaders’ summit to reaffirm their close ties.
“At the summit, the leaders will advance a trilateral partnership built on deep historical ties of friendship, robust and growing economic relations, a proud and resolute commitment to shared democratic values, and a shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific,” she said.
“The leaders will also reaffirm the ironclad alliances between the United States and the Philippines, and the United States and Japan,” Jean-Pierre added.
Also to be discussed by the three leaders a “trilateral cooperation” to promote inclusive economic growth and emerging technologies, advance clean energy supply chains and climate cooperation, and further peace and security in the Indo-Pacific and around the world.
Prior to the trilateral leaders’ summit, Biden and Marcos will have a separate meeting on the same day to discuss the “historic momentum in US-Philippines relations.”
“(Marcos and Biden will also) discuss efforts to expand cooperation on economic security, clean energy, people-to-people ties, and human rights and democracy,” Jean-Pierre said.
“(Biden) will reaffirm the ironclad alliance between the United States and the Philippines and emphasize US commitment to upholding international law and promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific,” she added.
The United States of America, Japan, and the Philippines have been the most vocal critics of China’s aggressive actions in the South China Sea or West Philippines Sea.
The three nations have intensified their security alliances with Japan and the Philippines holding ongoing negotiations for Reciprocal Access Agreement that will allow larger numbers of Japanese Defense forces to enter the Philippines for joint training with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and to help respond to natural calamities./PN
