Metro Manila, Philippines – US President Donald Trump has assured President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that he will raise the country’s concerns over the South China Sea during his next meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Malacañang said Thursday, July 23.
According to the Presidential Communications Office, Marcos and Trump discussed global economic and security issues in a phone call that followed US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s courtesy call on the Philippine leader in Malacañang on Wednesday.
It said Marcos updated Trump on recent incidents in the South China Sea, including the latest confrontation involving Philippine and Chinese vessels.
The Palace said the US leader assured the president that he would bring up the Philippines’ concerns when he next meets Xi. It did not state when the meeting would take place.
The phone call came a day after Rubio reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to its alliance with Manila during a meeting with Marcos, saying the partnership is “only growing” and has become “more important than ever” in light of recent developments.
Rubio was in Manila to attend the ASEAN foreign ministers’ meetings, where regional security and the South China Sea dominated discussions.
In a Facebook post, US Ambassador Lee Lipton confirmed the call between the two leaders and said strengthening direct communication between Washington and Manila is one of his priorities.
“One of my goals as US Ambassador to the Philippines is to ensure our two leaders are regularly in touch with each other. Great things ahead!” Lipton wrote.
The Philippines and the United States marked 80 years of diplomatic relations this year.
