Joe Biden reaffirmed the United States’ unwavering defense commitment to Pacific allies during a White House summit that included Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. This gathering took place amid escalating concerns about provocative Chinese military actions in the Indo-Pacific region.
During discussions, Biden emphasized the enduring nature of U.S. defense commitments to Japan and the Philippines, highlighting their ironclad nature. He stressed that any attack on Philippine aircraft, vessels, or armed forces in the South China Sea would trigger the mutual defense treaty between the United States and the Philippines.
“The United States defense commitments to Japan and to the Philippines are ironclad. They’re ironclad,” Biden stated during the three-way talks with Kishida and Marcos.
Tensions between China and the Philippines have escalated due to repeated clashes involving their coast guard vessels in the disputed South China Sea. These encounters include actions such as shining military-grade lasers, firing water cannons, and ramming Philippine ships near the Second Thomas Shoal, a contested area claimed by both Manila and Beijing.
In response to China’s actions, Biden recently addressed concerns about Chinese operations in the South China Sea during a phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Biden raised specific issues related to China impeding the resupply efforts of Philippine forces on the Second Thomas Shoal, an area the U.S. is treaty-bound to defend.
The trilateral summit involving the U.S., Japan, and the Philippines was described by the White House as a robust response to China’s intimidation tactics, aimed at sending a clear message that China’s behavior is isolated within the region.
As part of this summit, the leaders announced plans for joint coast guard patrols in the Indo-Pacific, building on previous law enforcement drills conducted in the vicinity of the South China Sea. Additionally, major U.S.-based companies, including Meta, UPS, and Greenbrier Energy, unveiled new investments in the Philippines during the economic component of the summit.
The discussions also centered on the launch of a new economic corridor in the Philippines under the G7 Partnership for Global Infrastructure Investment. This initiative aims to support clean energy, port development, agriculture, and other projects in the country.
President Biden underscored the significance of the Indo-Pacific region, predicting that “a great deal of history in our world will be written” there in the years to come.
The U.S., the United Kingdom, and Japan recently announced joint military exercises in the Indo-Pacific for 2025, signaling a deepening partnership in the face of regional challenges.
Marcos Jr.’s presidency has seen a shift towards closer ties with Washington amid rising concerns about China’s assertive actions. Biden has prioritized strengthening relations with the Philippines since Marcos assumed office in June 2022, despite earlier strained ties under Marcos’ predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte. Last year, the Philippines agreed to grant the U.S. access to four additional bases, reflecting a deepening security partnership.
