By Focus | 2025-07-30

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. concluded a three-day visit to the United States on July 23, returning to Manila with a renewed security alliance and growing military cooperation as both countries intensify efforts to deter China's expanding presence in the South China Sea.

During his visit, Marcos had separate talks with US President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

"Our strongest partner has always been the United States," Marcos said, the AP reported July 23.

The Philippines continues to pursue an independent foreign policy but recognizes the importance of deepening security cooperation with Washington, he said.

During Marcos' meeting at the Pentagon on July 21, Hegseth provided the most unambiguous US security guarantee in years.

"Together we remain committed to the Mutual Defense Treaty. And this pact extends to armed attacks on our armed forces, aircraft or public vessels, including our Coast Guard anywhere in the Pacific, including the South China Sea," he said, as quoted by AFP.

Signed in 1951, the Mutual Defense Treaty stipulates that the Philippines and the United States will support each other if one of them is attacked by an external party.

Marcos called mutual defense the "cornerstone" of the relationship between the Philippines and the United States.

Deterrence is the foundation of US strategy in the region, said Hegseth.

"We do not seek confrontation, but we are and will be ready and resolute," he said, calling for the alliance to "forge a strong shield of real deterrence for peace, ensuring the long-term security and prosperity for our nations."

In a separate meeting, Rubio and Marcos affirmed their nations' "ironclad" alliance, which they said is vital to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific, according to a State Department summary.

Enhanced ties

Marcos' visit marked a continuation of his administration's efforts to enhance defense ties not only with the United States but with other like-minded partners including Japan and Australia.

In 2023, Marcos granted expanded US access to military bases under the countries' Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) and increased joint military exercises, including the Balikatan drills held earlier this year.

Officials from both countries signed the EDCA in 2014.

Crucial to the reinvigorated defense relationship is a proposed joint ammunition manufacturing and storage facility in Subic Bay, a strategic location near the contested South China Sea.

The facility, on a former US naval base, is designed to help address the US military's lack of a forward-stage ammunition hub in the Indo-Pacific.

Backed by US lawmakers, the initiative is part of the Philippines' Self-Reliant Defense Posture program, which Marcos signed into law last year.

Marcos described the program as a means of enabling the country to "stand on our own two feet, whatever the circumstances that occur in the future," the Philippine News Agency (PNA) reported July 23.

Beijing quickly voiced its disapproval.

"Whatever cooperation the US and the Philippines have, it should not target or harm any third party," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said July 22.

Reaffirmed commitment

Beyond security, Marcos' trip yielded economic results.

A key outcome of the visit was the reduction of the US tariff rate on Philippine goods from 20% to 19%.

The Philippines secured more than $21 billion in investment pledges during the visit, said Marcos.

His journey made clear the "breadth and depth" of the US-Philippine alliance, Marcos said on returning to Manila.

"We reaffirmed our mutual commitment to further strengthening our longstanding alliance and growing our economies for the benefit of the people and in pursuit of our national interest," he said.

Former Philippine lawmaker and economist Joey Salceda called the expanded US commitment under the Mutual Defense Treaty "the clearest and widest expression ever issued by a United States official."

He praised Hegseth's statement on the treaty as part of the most comprehensive package of defense cooperation and investments that the Philippines has secured in years, the PNA reported on July 26.