Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo at the Munich Security Conference. The meeting focused on strengthening the United States-Philippines Alliance and exploring ways to enhance bilateral relations.
According to Spokesperson Tammy Bruce, "Secretary Rubio not only reaffirmed U.S. commitment to the United States-Philippines Alliance, but noted his enthusiasm for building an even more invested and enduring relationship." The discussions covered various topics, including cooperation in addressing China's actions in the South China Sea and increasing economic collaboration in infrastructure, critical minerals, information technology, and energy sectors. Civil nuclear cooperation was also highlighted as a key area of focus.
The meeting underscores ongoing efforts to address regional security concerns and boost economic ties between the two nations.