During a meeting in Manila, U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth reiterated America's steadfast support for the Philippines, emphasizing the mutual defense treaty from 1951. He conveyed President Trump's commitment to the alliance and highlighted the importance of military partnership, especially in light of challenges posed by China in the South China Sea. By starting his Indo-Pacific tour in the Philippines, Hegseth stressed the nation's pivotal role in regional security and asserted the necessity of collective strength for peace and stability.
I had a chance to speak just a few minutes ago to our president, President Trump, who sends his regards to you as well, thinks very fondly of this great country, is very committed to the alliance that we have, to the friendship that we have, the cooperation that we have.
He and I both want to express the ironclad commitment we have to the mutual defence treaty and to the partnership, economically, militarily, which our staffs have worked on diligently for weeks and weeks and months.
The U.S. says it has a 'great interest' in deepening military ties with the Philippines.
Hegseth highlighted the importance of strengthening military cooperation with Manila, describing it as 'mutually beneficial' and 'critically important' for both countries.
#us-philippines-relations #mutual-defense-treaty #military-cooperation #indo-pacific-security #regional-stability
Collection
[
|
...
]