Philippines Confident in Continued U.S. Military Support Under Trump Administration

Ambassador Romualdez asserts that defense ties and China Sea patrols will remain strong, with plans for a Marcos-Trump meeting underway.

Philippine Ambassador Jose Romualdez expressed confidence that U.S. military support, including patrols in the South China Sea, will continue under President Donald Trump.
Romualdez highlighted bipartisan backing in the U.S. for a $2.5 billion defense bill to support the Philippines' military modernization efforts.
A potential meeting between Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Trump is being arranged, possibly in the spring, to strengthen bilateral ties.
The Philippines is exploring increased trade with the U.S., including potential liquefied natural gas imports as part of broader economic cooperation.
Tensions with China over the South China Sea persist, with the Philippines emphasizing the importance of maintaining freedom of navigation in the region.