President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. left for the United States today, April 10, to attend the historic trilateral meeting with the US and Japan where he is expected to highlight the economic and defense and maritime cooperation with the two countries, among other concerns.

“This historic meeting with US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio is aimed at advancing trilateral cooperation between our three countries, which have long enjoyed warm and friendly relations, and robust cooperation,” President Marcos said in his departure speech.

President Marcos added the visit builds upon his previous meetings with Prime Minister Kishida and US Vice President Kamala Harris September last year in Jakarta, Indonesia, as well as the trilateral meetings held by the foreign ministers and the national security advisers of the three countries last year.

During the trilateral summit, the President said he will particularly underscore the importance of enhancing the economic cooperation of the Philippines with Japan and the US “with a view to promoting economic resilience and security.”

“I intend to explore ways of advancing cooperation, especially in the areas of critical infrastructure, semiconductors, digitalization and cybersecurity, critical minerals, renewable energy, as well as defense and maritime cooperation,” Marcos said.

“I also intend to exchange views with my U.S. and Japanese counterparts on various regional security issues of mutual concern, while reiterating the importance of upholding the rule of law and preserving the rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific region,” he added.

On the sidelines of the trilateral summit, President Marcos said he will have a bilateral meeting with Biden, where they will continue the discussions on strengthening further the alliance between the Philippines and the US.

President Marcos will also meet with business leaders in the US to invite them to invest in the Philippines. PND