The Philippines is sending a clear message: “We are not Ukraine.” Philippine officials are expressing strong confidence in the United States' support, despite President Trump's recent fluctuations in foreign policy, particularly illustrated by his fraught exchanges with other leaders, including Ukraine’s president.
The assurance stems primarily from the shared concern both countries have over a common adversary—China. Trump is currently in the midst of an intense trade conflict with Beijing, while the Philippines is facing heightened tensions in the South China Sea, where China's claims have been increasingly aggressive. The Philippines views its mutual defense treaty with the United States as a crucial line of defense against these threats.
Last month, the U.S. reinstated approximately $400 million in military assistance to the Philippines, a significant recovery from the constrictions imposed during Trump’s broader freeze on foreign aid. This financial restoration is viewed by Gilberto Teodoro Jr., the Philippine Secretary of National Defense, as a solid indication that relations between the two nations remain strong.
In a recent interview, Teodoro spoke of recent engagements with Trump's cabinet, where he received firm assurances of continued U.S. commitment to the defense alliance. "We have no reason to doubt the commitments made by the highest officials of the Trump administration," said Teodoro, who had returned from a meeting in Washington with key figures including Mike Waltz, Trump’s National Security Advisor.
However, Trump's evident readiness to dissolve longstanding alliances does create concerns among Filipino officials. His administration has both imposed tariffs on allies such as Canada and shown a tendency to undermine European partnerships while also pushing NATO under strain. Although he has been silent on the future of ties with the Philippines and the broader Indo-Pacific region, the implications of his policies have not gone unnoticed in Manila.
As the geopolitical landscape fluctuates, the Philippines is working both to assert its position and fortify its alliances, confidently framing its relationship with the U.S. as a cornerstone of its defense strategy amid rising tensions in the region.
