{"id":216919,"date":"2022-07-25T12:00:53","date_gmt":"2022-07-25T11:00:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/?p=216919"},"modified":"2022-07-21T05:56:51","modified_gmt":"2022-07-21T04:56:51","slug":"marcos-must-tread-cautiously-as-us-and-china-seek-to-reset-ties-with-the-philippines","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/2022\/07\/marcos-must-tread-cautiously-as-us-and-china-seek-to-reset-ties-with-the-philippines\/","title":{"rendered":"Marcos Must Tread Cautiously as US and China Seek to Reset Ties with the Philippines"},"content":{"rendered":"<ul>\n<li><em>The US is likely to dangle greater defence cooperation and capital, while China will pledge continued support for the Philippines\u2019 infrastructure plans.<\/em><\/li>\n<li><em>Advancing defence ties with Manila\u2019s treaty ally, but avoiding antagonising its largest trade partner, will be a difficult balancing act for the Marcos administration.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"attachment_216920\" style=\"width: 510px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Philippine-marines-subic-bay.jpg\" ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-216920\" class=\"wp-image-216920\" src=\"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Philippine-marines-subic-bay-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Philippine-marines-subic-bay-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Philippine-marines-subic-bay-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Philippine-marines-subic-bay-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Philippine-marines-subic-bay.jpg 1098w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-216920\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Philippine marines take their positions during a drill at the former US naval facility in Subic. File photo: AP<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"opinion-article__body article-details-type--p content--p\" data-v-883fc1e6=\"\" data-v-17ed79e3=\"\"><em>10 Jul 2022 &#8211; <\/em>As newly-inaugurated President Ferdinand \u201cBongbong\u201d Marcos Jr, son and namesake of the former Philippine strongman, begins forming his trade, security, and foreign policies, the <span class=\"opinion-article__body article-details-type--a content--a\" title=\"\" data-v-178b2e30=\"\" data-v-883fc1e6=\"\" data-entity-uuid=\"8f7742f5-f9bb-4eb9-a28a-f54d077f352d\" data-entity-type=\"taxonomy_term\" data-entity-bundle=\"topics\"><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.scmp.com\/topics\/united-states?module=inline&amp;pgtype=article\" class=\"link-text\"  data-v-178b2e30=\"\"><span class=\"text\" data-v-178b2e30=\"\">United States<\/span><\/a><\/span> and <span class=\"opinion-article__body article-details-type--a content--a\" title=\"\" data-v-178b2e30=\"\" data-v-883fc1e6=\"\" data-entity-uuid=\"cd3fe2cb-1803-4611-91c6-0a8e980ff1cd\" data-entity-type=\"taxonomy_term\" data-entity-bundle=\"topics\"><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.scmp.com\/topics\/china-philippines-relations?module=inline&amp;pgtype=article\" class=\"link-text\"  data-v-178b2e30=\"\"><span class=\"text\" data-v-178b2e30=\"\">China<\/span><\/a><\/span> are expected to seize the chance to reset ties amid a competing rivalry for influence.<\/p>\n<div data-v-17ed79e3=\"\">\n<p class=\"opinion-article__body article-details-type--p content--p\" data-v-883fc1e6=\"\" data-v-17ed79e3=\"\">Presidents <span class=\"opinion-article__body article-details-type--a content--a\" title=\"\" data-v-178b2e30=\"\" data-v-883fc1e6=\"\"><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.scmp.com\/knowledge\/people\/joe-biden\/news?module=inline&amp;pgtype=article\" class=\"link-text\"  data-v-178b2e30=\"\"><span class=\"text\" data-v-178b2e30=\"\">Joe Biden<\/span><\/a><\/span> and <span class=\"opinion-article__body article-details-type--a content--a\" title=\"\" data-v-178b2e30=\"\" data-v-883fc1e6=\"\" data-entity-uuid=\"1c739c88-bfaa-4155-bcdf-f1b7f0d5dd52\" data-entity-type=\"taxonomy_term\" data-entity-bundle=\"topics\"><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.scmp.com\/topics\/xi-jinping?module=inline&amp;pgtype=article\" class=\"link-text\"  data-v-178b2e30=\"\"><span class=\"text\" data-v-178b2e30=\"\">Xi Jinping<\/span><\/a><\/span> were among the first world leaders to congratulate Marcos Jr days after his electoral win. US Deputy Secretary of State <span class=\"opinion-article__body article-details-type--a content--a\" title=\"\" data-v-178b2e30=\"\" data-v-883fc1e6=\"\" data-entity-uuid=\"e53c3bcd-7bb3-4f9c-9388-f0b3286202bc\" data-entity-type=\"node\" data-entity-bundle=\"article\"><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.scmp.com\/news\/asia\/diplomacy\/article\/3180399\/no-2-us-diplomats-trip-show-us-continued-commitment-indo?module=inline&amp;pgtype=article\" class=\"link-text\"  data-v-178b2e30=\"\"><span class=\"text\" data-v-178b2e30=\"\">Wendy Sherman<\/span><\/a><\/span> became the first high-ranking foreign official to meet Marcos Jr on June 9, shortly after he was declared president-elect. Not to be outdone, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi was the first top-ranking foreign official to visit Marcos Jr after he was <span class=\"opinion-article__body article-details-type--a content--a\" title=\"\" data-v-178b2e30=\"\" data-v-883fc1e6=\"\" data-entity-uuid=\"748a815e-0182-4ecc-a33f-0b94292b77d3\" data-entity-type=\"node\" data-entity-bundle=\"article\"><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.scmp.com\/news\/asia\/southeast-asia\/article\/3183613\/marcos-jnr-sworn-philippine-president-decades-after-father?module=inline&amp;pgtype=article\" class=\"link-text\"  data-v-178b2e30=\"\"><span class=\"text\" data-v-178b2e30=\"\">sworn in on June 30<\/span><\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-v-17ed79e3=\"\">\n<p class=\"opinion-article__body article-details-type--p content--p\" data-v-883fc1e6=\"\" data-v-17ed79e3=\"\">Both the US and China sent representatives to attend Marcos Jr\u2019s inauguration in Manila. The American delegation was headed by Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff, husband of Vice-President <span class=\"opinion-article__body article-details-type--a content--a\" title=\"\" data-v-178b2e30=\"\" data-v-883fc1e6=\"\" data-entity-uuid=\"21a86a01-0bb9-46f6-aaaf-0267f532ee95\" data-entity-type=\"taxonomy_term\" data-entity-bundle=\"topics\"><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.scmp.com\/topics\/kamala-harris?module=inline&amp;pgtype=article\" class=\"link-text\"  data-v-178b2e30=\"\"><span class=\"text\" data-v-178b2e30=\"\">Kamala Harris<\/span><\/a><\/span>, while Beijing was represented by Vice-President Wang Qishan. The Philippines\u2019 ambassador to the US, Jose Manuel Romualdez, said on July 3 that Biden had invited his Filipino counterpart to visit the White House, though no schedule had yet been set. This makes Washington the first to extend such an invitation to Manila\u2019s new chief executive.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-v-17ed79e3=\"\">\n<div data-v-178b2e30=\"\">\n<div class=\"recirc\" data-v-cb414ab6=\"\" data-v-178b2e30=\"\">\n<div class=\"recirc__left left\" data-v-cb414ab6=\"\">Both the US and China are important partners for the <span class=\"opinion-article__body article-details-type--a content--a\" title=\"\" data-v-178b2e30=\"\" data-v-883fc1e6=\"\" data-entity-uuid=\"3a83a0e4-5306-449f-82e7-7e069dc9e7f3\" data-entity-type=\"taxonomy_term\" data-entity-bundle=\"topics\"><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.scmp.com\/topics\/philippines?module=inline&amp;pgtype=article\" class=\"link-text\"  data-v-178b2e30=\"\"><span class=\"text\" data-v-178b2e30=\"\">Philippines<\/span><\/a><\/span>, but its relations with both have their fair share of bumps.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" data-v-59caeb6e=\"\" data-v-17ed79e3=\"\">\n<div data-v-59caeb6e=\"\">\n<div data-v-59caeb6e=\"\">\n<div class=\"details__body body body--next\" data-v-17ed79e3=\"\">\n<div class=\"paywalled-content\" data-v-17ed79e3=\"\">\n<div data-v-17ed79e3=\"\">\n<p class=\"opinion-article__body article-details-type--p content--p\" data-v-883fc1e6=\"\" data-v-17ed79e3=\"\">Manila is Washington\u2019s longest-tenured treaty ally in Asia, and the 70-year alliance remains a pillar of its external defence. The US is also a major market for the Philippines\u2019 burgeoning business process outsourcing industry, and Manila is keen to attract more American and foreign capital diversifying away from China or expanding into Southeast Asia.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-v-17ed79e3=\"\">\n<p class=\"opinion-article__body article-details-type--p content--p\" data-v-883fc1e6=\"\" data-v-17ed79e3=\"\">But the Duterte administration\u2019s anti-US rants and human rights criticisms against its controversial drug war frayed ties between Manila and Washington in the last six years. China, on the other hand, is the Philippines\u2019 largest trade partner, a huge investor and an increasingly important infrastructure builder. But it is also a fellow disputant in the <span class=\"opinion-article__body article-details-type--a content--a\" title=\"\" data-v-178b2e30=\"\" data-v-883fc1e6=\"\" data-entity-uuid=\"641dadfd-b182-45ce-a2eb-0becb5191f7d\" data-entity-type=\"taxonomy_term\" data-entity-bundle=\"topics\"><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.scmp.com\/topics\/south-china-sea?module=inline&amp;pgtype=article\" class=\"link-text\"  data-v-178b2e30=\"\"><span class=\"text\" data-v-178b2e30=\"\">South China Sea<\/span><\/a><\/span>, and untoward sea incidents continue to mar ties.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-v-17ed79e3=\"\">\n<div class=\"opinion-article__body article-details-type--div content--div methode-html-wrapper oembed-wrapper\" data-v-883fc1e6=\"\" data-v-17ed79e3=\"\">\n<div class=\"youtube-video-container opinion-article__body article-details-type--iframe content--iframe c1\" data-v-2513c550=\"\" data-v-883fc1e6=\"\" data-poster-sm=\"https:\/\/cdn.i-scmp.com\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/768x768\/public\/d8\/video\/thumbnail\/2022\/06\/30\/WEB clean - Philippine new president.jpg?itok=fgPzv0hC\" data-poster-lg=\"https:\/\/cdn.i-scmp.com\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/wide_landscape\/public\/d8\/video\/thumbnail\/2022\/06\/30\/WEB clean - Philippine new president.jpg?itok=AbHxRCg3\" data-poster=\"https:\/\/cdn.i-scmp.com\/sites\/default\/files\/d8\/video\/thumbnail\/2022\/06\/30\/WEB clean - Philippine new president.jpg\" data-duration=\"03:45\" data-video-source=\"SCMP\" data-nid=\"3183718\" data-youtube-id=\"WWD7DWeeZ9I\">\n<div class=\"youtube-video-container__container\" data-v-2513c550=\"\">\n<div class=\"youtube-video-container__videoDisplayed\" data-v-2513c550=\"\">\n<div class=\"youtube-video-container__video-wrapper youtube-video-container__video-wrapper--show\" data-v-2513c550=\"\">\n<div class=\"youtube-video-container__video-container youtube-video-container__video-container--show\" data-v-2513c550=\"\">\n<div class=\"\" data-v-2513c550=\"\">\n<div class=\"youtube-video-container__section\" data-v-2513c550=\"\">\n<div id=\"4f131080-08ac-11ed-9911-3f6371f57f08\" class=\"youtube-video-container__video youtube-video-container__video--show\" data-v-2513c550=\"\">\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" id=\"yt-video-4f131080-08ac-11ed-9911-3f6371f57f08\" title=\"Ferdinand Marcos Jnr takes office as the Philippines\u2019 new leader\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/WWD7DWeeZ9I?rel=0&amp;mute=1&amp;playsinline=1&amp;frameborder=0&amp;autoplay=0&amp;origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.scmp.com&amp;embed_config=%7B%22relatedChannels%22%3A%5B%22UC4SUWizzKc1tptprBkWjX2Q%22%5D%2C%22enableIma%22%3Atrue%2C%22disabledRelatedVideos%22%3Atrue%2C%22adsConfig%22%3A%7B%22disableAds%22%3Atrue%2C%22adTagParameters%22%3A%7B%22iu%22%3A%22%2F8134%2Fscmp%2Fweb%2Fthisweekinasia_opinion%2Farticle%2Finstream1%22%7D%2C%22nonPersonalizedAd%22%3Atrue%7D%7D&amp;enablejsapi=1&amp;widgetid=1\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"youtube-video-container__footer-title-wrapper\" data-v-2513c550=\"\">\n<div class=\"youtube-video-container__video-icon-wrapper\" data-v-2513c550=\"\">\n<h3 class=\"opinion-article__body article-details-type--h3 content--h3\" data-v-883fc1e6=\"\" data-v-17ed79e3=\"\">Upcoming projects<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-v-17ed79e3=\"\">\n<p class=\"opinion-article__body article-details-type--p content--p\" data-v-883fc1e6=\"\" data-v-17ed79e3=\"\">The US is likely to dangle greater defence cooperation and capital, while China will pledge continued support for the Philippines\u2019 infrastructure build-up and pour in more investment.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-v-17ed79e3=\"\">\n<p class=\"opinion-article__body article-details-type--p content--p\" data-v-883fc1e6=\"\" data-v-17ed79e3=\"\">To forestall Chinese interest, US private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management in April took over the ex-Hanjin shipyard in Subic \u2013 a US$300 million deal billed as the biggest public-private partnership in the 75-year history of Philippine-US relations. Facing the South China Sea, Subic is a former US naval base, a bustling free port, special economic zone, and a new base for the Philippine Navy. An American defence firm, Daycraft Systems Corporation, also partnered with a local firm to operate a weapons assembly plant in neighbouring Bataan province.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-v-17ed79e3=\"\">\n<p class=\"opinion-article__body article-details-type--p content--p\" data-v-883fc1e6=\"\" data-v-17ed79e3=\"\">China, in turn, is delivering on its infrastructure pledges and hoping to complete projects reached with the previous Duterte government. A month before the presidential election, a second Beijing-donated bridge that spans the Pasig River was opened in Manila. Five days before Marcos Jr\u2019s inauguration, the Chinese-financed Chico River pump irrigation project in northern Luzon was also inducted into service. The project was a key piece in the Duterte government\u2019s flagship Build, Build, Build infrastructure programme, which Marcos Jr has pledged to continue.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-v-17ed79e3=\"\">\n<p class=\"opinion-article__body article-details-type--p content--p\" data-v-883fc1e6=\"\" data-v-17ed79e3=\"\">Early this year, a Chinese consortium also sealed a contract to design and build a railway to southern Luzon. The Philippine National Railways (PNR) Southrail, a US$2.8 billion project, is the highest funded government-to-government undertaking between the two countries. Work will begin this year on the first phase \u2013 380km of the total 560km railway\u2013 and the railway is expected to run by 2025. Last Tuesday, China\u2019s ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian confirmed the signing of a commercial contract for a Chinese-funded river bridge in Davao, expected to be completed in two years.<\/p>\n<p class=\"opinion-article__body article-details-type--p content--p\" data-v-883fc1e6=\"\" data-v-17ed79e3=\"\">China is also set to submit a shortlist of design-build contractors for another rail line in Mindanao, the first such project in the Philippines\u2019 second-largest island. Beijing is also involved in the Subic-Clark railway project, which would link two vibrant economic zones in central Luzon, and in the Kaliwa Dam project, which will enhance Metro Manila\u2019s water security.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-v-17ed79e3=\"\">\n<p class=\"opinion-article__body article-details-type--p content--p\" data-v-883fc1e6=\"\" data-v-17ed79e3=\"\">AC Energy Corporation of local conglomerate Ayala also tapped Chinese construction firms to build the country\u2019s largest solar farm in San Marcelino, Zambales, which is slated to operate late this year.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-v-17ed79e3=\"\">\n<div class=\"opinion-article__body article-details-type--div content--div image-inline-container\" data-v-883fc1e6=\"\" data-v-17ed79e3=\"\">\n<div class=\"opinion-article__body article-details-type--img content--img image-inline caption\" data-v-3040cfb4=\"\" data-v-883fc1e6=\"\" data-fid=\"12593919\" data-resolution=\"1\">\n<div class=\"body__image image image--landscape\" data-v-3040cfb4=\"\">\n<div class=\"image_wrapper wrapper\" data-v-3040cfb4=\"\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"description-wrapper\" data-v-3040cfb4=\"\">\n<div class=\"wrapper-item\" data-v-3040cfb4=\"\">\n<div class=\"image__title\" data-v-3040cfb4=\"\">\n<div id=\"attachment_216924\" style=\"width: 510px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Philippine-marcos-bongbong-president2.webp\" ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-216924\" class=\"wp-image-216924\" src=\"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Philippine-marcos-bongbong-president2-1024x710.webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"347\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Philippine-marcos-bongbong-president2-1024x710.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Philippine-marcos-bongbong-president2-300x208.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Philippine-marcos-bongbong-president2-768x532.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Philippine-marcos-bongbong-president2-1536x1065.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Philippine-marcos-bongbong-president2.webp 1999w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-216924\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi calls on Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr at Malaca\u00f1ang Palace in Manila on July 6.<br \/>Photo: Presidential Photographers Division\/AFP<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-v-17ed79e3=\"\">\n<h3 class=\"opinion-article__body article-details-type--h3 content--h3\" data-v-883fc1e6=\"\" data-v-17ed79e3=\"\">Pragmatism vs wariness<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div data-v-17ed79e3=\"\">\n<p class=\"opinion-article__body article-details-type--p content--p\" data-v-883fc1e6=\"\" data-v-17ed79e3=\"\">Pragmatism makes the Philippines welcoming of economic overtures, but the growing US-China gulf may make security deals more delicate.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-v-17ed79e3=\"\">\n<p class=\"opinion-article__body article-details-type--p content--p\" data-v-883fc1e6=\"\" data-v-17ed79e3=\"\">The country was one of the first to sign up for the US-led Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (<span class=\"opinion-article__body article-details-type--a content--a\" title=\"\" data-v-178b2e30=\"\" data-v-883fc1e6=\"\" data-entity-uuid=\"6a440830-d9a5-4b2f-933e-93419da940c1\" data-entity-type=\"node\" data-entity-bundle=\"article\"><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.scmp.com\/economy\/china-economy\/article\/3174211\/what-ipef-and-will-it-help-us-counter-chinas-influence-asia?module=inline&amp;pgtype=article\" class=\"link-text\"  data-v-178b2e30=\"\"><span class=\"text\" data-v-178b2e30=\"\">IPEF<\/span><\/a><\/span>), which Biden <span class=\"opinion-article__body article-details-type--a content--a\" title=\"\" data-v-178b2e30=\"\" data-v-883fc1e6=\"\" data-entity-uuid=\"c5b1aeed-d980-422c-a2f3-eebc7e7f76f8\" data-entity-type=\"node\" data-entity-bundle=\"article\"><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.scmp.com\/news\/china\/diplomacy\/article\/3178804\/joe-biden-launches-ipef-economic-initiative-making-explicit?module=inline&amp;pgtype=article\" class=\"link-text\"  data-v-178b2e30=\"\"><span class=\"text\" data-v-178b2e30=\"\">unveiled<\/span><\/a><\/span> during his maiden Asia tour in May. Last month, the Philippines attended the IPEF meeting in Paris.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-v-17ed79e3=\"\">\n<p class=\"opinion-article__body article-details-type--p content--p\" data-v-883fc1e6=\"\" data-v-17ed79e3=\"\">Manila is also a member of the world\u2019s largest free-trade agreement, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (<span class=\"opinion-article__body article-details-type--a content--a\" title=\"\" data-v-178b2e30=\"\" data-v-883fc1e6=\"\" data-entity-uuid=\"6a440830-d9a5-4b2f-933e-93419da940c1\" data-entity-type=\"node\" data-entity-bundle=\"article\"><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.scmp.com\/economy\/china-economy\/article\/3174211\/what-ipef-and-will-it-help-us-counter-chinas-influence-asia?module=inline&amp;pgtype=article\" class=\"link-text\"  data-v-178b2e30=\"\"><span class=\"text\" data-v-178b2e30=\"\">RCEP<\/span><\/a><\/span>), whose biggest member economy is China. While Duterte ratified RCEP last September, it has yet to be cleared by the Senate.<\/p>\n<div data-v-17ed79e3=\"\">\n<p class=\"opinion-article__body article-details-type--p content--p\" data-v-883fc1e6=\"\" data-v-17ed79e3=\"\">It remains to be seen whether Marcos will seek such concurrence given his concerns about the Philippines\u2019 competitiveness and the deal\u2019s impact on sensitive sectors like agriculture, which he is temporarily heading.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-v-17ed79e3=\"\">\n<p class=\"opinion-article__body article-details-type--p content--p\" data-v-883fc1e6=\"\" data-v-17ed79e3=\"\">As the US-China rivalry heats up, with the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait becoming arenas for great power muscle-flexing, the Philippines is increasingly squeezed in between.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-v-17ed79e3=\"\">\n<p class=\"opinion-article__body article-details-type--p content--p\" data-v-883fc1e6=\"\" data-v-17ed79e3=\"\">The restoration of the US-Philippine Visiting Forces Agreement and the holding of one of the largest joint annual military drills in years may energise defence ties and fuel momentum for the implementation of the Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-v-17ed79e3=\"\">\n<div class=\"opinion-article__body article-details-type--div content--div image-inline-container\" data-v-883fc1e6=\"\" data-v-17ed79e3=\"\">\n<div class=\"opinion-article__body article-details-type--img content--img image-inline caption\" data-v-3040cfb4=\"\" data-v-883fc1e6=\"\" data-fid=\"12593920\" data-resolution=\"1\">\n<div class=\"body__image image image--landscape\" data-v-3040cfb4=\"\">\n<div class=\"image_wrapper wrapper\" data-v-3040cfb4=\"\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"description-wrapper\" data-v-3040cfb4=\"\">\n<div class=\"wrapper-item\" data-v-3040cfb4=\"\">\n<div class=\"image__title\" data-v-3040cfb4=\"\">\n<div id=\"attachment_216925\" style=\"width: 510px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/philippines-bong-bong-marcos-president.webp\" ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-216925\" class=\"wp-image-216925\" src=\"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/philippines-bong-bong-marcos-president-1024x599.webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"292\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/philippines-bong-bong-marcos-president-1024x599.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/philippines-bong-bong-marcos-president-300x175.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/philippines-bong-bong-marcos-president-768x449.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/philippines-bong-bong-marcos-president-1536x898.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/philippines-bong-bong-marcos-president.webp 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-216925\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Ferdinand Marcos meets US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman in Makati on June 9. Photo: BBM Media Bure\/AFP<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-v-17ed79e3=\"\">\n<p class=\"opinion-article__body article-details-type--p content--p\" data-v-883fc1e6=\"\" data-v-17ed79e3=\"\">Washington may push for greater access to more Philippine bases to better respond to regional contingencies. This, however, may place its junior ally in a bind, especially if the US prepositions missiles that put Chinese targets within range.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-v-17ed79e3=\"\">\n<p class=\"opinion-article__body article-details-type--p content--p\" data-v-883fc1e6=\"\" data-v-17ed79e3=\"\">In 2017, South Korean tourism and businesses in China bore the brunt of great power enmity, when Seoul hosted US-made Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) missiles. The move infuriated Beijing, which saw the anti-ballistic missile defence system as inimical to its security interests.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-v-17ed79e3=\"\">\n<p class=\"opinion-article__body article-details-type--p content--p\" data-v-883fc1e6=\"\" data-v-17ed79e3=\"\">That provides a cautionary tale for Marcos Jr. Advancing defence cooperation with its treaty ally, but avoiding antagonising its largest trade partner, will be a difficult balancing act.<\/p>\n<p data-v-883fc1e6=\"\" data-v-17ed79e3=\"\">_____________________________________________<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-v-17ed79e3=\"\">\n<p class=\"main-info__description\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\" data-v-33c94b5d=\"\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"image-cover image-cover--grey-filter alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/img.i-scmp.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/fit=contain,width=100,format=auto\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/118x118\/public\/images\/author\/pic\/2018\/08\/14\/profile_pic.jpg?itok=AW6VpP6d&amp;v=1534212797\" alt=\"Lucio Blanco Pitlo III\" data-v-33c94b5d=\"\" data-src=\"https:\/\/img.i-scmp.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/fit=contain,width=100,format=auto\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/118x118\/public\/images\/author\/pic\/2018\/08\/14\/profile_pic.jpg?itok=AW6VpP6d&amp;v=1534212797\" \/><span class=\"topic-label__name\" data-v-c087a43c=\"\">Asian Angle<\/span><em> &#8211; Lucio Blanco Pitlo III is a research fellow at the Asia-Pacific Pathways to Progress Foundation, fellow at the University of the Philippines Korea Research Centre, lecturer at the Chinese Studies Programme at Ateneo de Manila University, and contributing editor (Reviews) for the<\/em> Asian Politics &amp; Policy Journal.<\/p>\n<p data-v-33c94b5d=\"\"><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.scmp.com\/week-asia\/opinion\/article\/3184575\/marcos-must-tread-cautiously-us-and-china-seek-reset-ties\" >Go to Original &#8211; scmp.com<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>10 Jul 2022 &#8211; As newly-inaugurated President Ferdinand \u201cBongbong\u201d Marcos Jr, son and namesake of the former Philippine strongman, begins forming his trade, security, and foreign policies, the United States and China are expected to seize the chance to reset ties amid a competing rivalry for influence.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":216921,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[56],"tags":[1149,244,2850,1856,70],"class_list":["post-216919","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-asia-pacific","tag-asia-and-the-pacific","tag-china","tag-ferdinand-bongbong-marcos-jr","tag-philippines","tag-usa"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/216919","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=216919"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/216919\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/216921"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=216919"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=216919"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=216919"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}