Philippine, US Defence Pacts to Stay Intact.
The Philippines and the United States will continue to maintain their existing defence agreements under U.S. President Donald Trump, with Manila's ambassador to the United States expressing confidence in Washington's continued support for his country and the Indo-Pacific region. The Philippines is exploring alternative funding sources due to a freeze on US aid, but Romualdez remains optimistic about the future of the US-Philippines relationship. The Philippines needs to become a "real partner" to its ally, with Romualdez citing investments in the military and coast guard as key to achieving this goal.
- The long-term implications of the Philippines' reliance on the United States for defence are uncertain, but a strong alliance may be essential for the country's regional security.
- Will the Philippines be able to maintain its sovereignty in the face of growing Chinese assertiveness in the South China Sea?