Metro Manila, Philippines – US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Manila on Tuesday, July 21, to attend key Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) ministerial meetings and deepen Washington’s strategic partnership with Manila as tensions rise in the Indo-Pacific.
Rubio is attending the ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conference, the East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and the ASEAN Regional Forum Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.
He is also expected to hold meetings with senior government officials from the Philippines and other Indo-Pacific countries.
According to the US State Department, the visit underscores Washington’s commitment to advancing a “free and open Indo-Pacific” that promotes security, safety and prosperity across the region.
The State Department said Rubio will use the meetings to highlight the results of the US-ASEAN partnership and further strengthen his country’s comprehensive partnership with the Philippines.
Regional tensions remain high following a new confrontation between Philippine and Chinese forces near Ayungin Shoal. The trip also coincides with discussions on the South China Sea, Myanmar, the Middle East and other regional security issues at the ASEAN meetings.
US Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Lipton welcomed Rubio’s arrival.
“What an absolute honor to welcome our great Secretary of State Marco Rubio to the Philippines today,” he said.
Rubio’s trip marks his first visit to the Philippines since US President Donald Trump returned to the White House for a second term.
