Donald Trump’s Philippine strategy: expanding support on the condition of Manila’s proactive role in building a “lattice” system

The first talks between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Philippine Foreign Minister Enrique Manalo took place in Munich on February 15, 2025. Also, on February 24, 2025, it became known that the United States unfroze part of the military aid to the Philippines in the amount of $336 million.

As a result, the United States declared its readiness to continue building security cooperation with the Philippines. This refers to the White House’s intention to strengthen cooperation in the areas of infrastructure (Luzon Economic Corridor), natural resources and minerals (oil and gas deposits in the West Philippine Sea), technology, and civilian nuclear energy (construction of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant).

The United States emphasized its commitment to the bilateral defense alliance and assured it would continue to prevent China’s provocations in the South China Sea.