Leaders from the U.S., Japan, and the Philippines gathered at the White House to confront the growing tensions with China in the South China Sea. The focus of the summit was on Beijing's increased pressure on Manila, with discussions centered around China's assertive actions in the disputed region despite previous diplomatic appeals.
The joint efforts announced by the Biden administration during the trilateral summit included military collaborations and infrastructure investments in the Philippines. The leaders voiced serious apprehensions about China's activities in the South China Sea, highlighting concerns about the militarization of reclaimed land and unlawful maritime claims made by Beijing.
The meeting also aimed to reinforce the defense commitments between the United States and its allies in the region. President Biden emphasized the ironclad nature of the mutual defense treaty with the Philippines, clarifying that the U.S. would respond in the event of an armed attack on the Philippines in the South China Sea. This assurance came in response to China's expansive claims in the area, including at the Second Thomas Shoal within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone.
In addition to addressing security concerns, the trilateral summit highlighted plans for enhanced cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. The countries discussed future trilateral coast guard exercises and dialogues to bolster collaboration. Furthermore, agreements were unveiled to strengthen economic ties, focusing on infrastructure development such as ports, rail systems, clean energy initiatives, and semiconductor supply chains in the Philippines.