The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
By Tracy Cabrera
US Secretary of State Marco Antonio Rubio reaffirmed Washington’s unwavering commitment to its alliance with the Philippines during his first meeting with Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo in Germany.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference (MSC), Rubio emphasized the US’s eagerness to foster “an even more invested and enduring relationship” with the Philippines, despite a foreign assistance freeze ordered by President Donald Trump. Their discussion focused on China’s “destabilizing actions” in the South China Sea.
“Had the opportunity to meet with Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Secretary Manalo during the Munich Security Conference. We discussed how we can strengthen the US-Philippine Alliance to address China’s destabilizing actions in the South China Sea and increase the economic prosperity of our citizens,” Rubio shared on social media platform X.
Manalo, in response, reiterated Manila’s commitment to deepening economic and security cooperation with the US. “A great first in-person meeting with Secretary Rubio at (MSC 2025). A strong and committed Philippine-US partnership in various areas will contribute to a more robust alliance,” he posted.
The US State Department noted that their talks also covered economic collaboration in infrastructure, critical minerals, information technology, and energy resources, including civil nuclear cooperation.