Marcos, Biden, Iwaya Pledge Trilateral Cooperation

As Donald Trump prepares to return to the White House, foreign ministers from South Korea and Japan, Cho Tae-yul and Takeshi Iwaya, respectively, expressed confidence in the continued strength of trilateral cooperation among Seoul, Washington, and Tokyo. They noted that despite political changes, there remains bipartisan support for this alliance, which is deemed crucial for regional security. Concurrently, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of the Philippines reaffirmed his country's strong commitment to the trilateral partnership with the U.S. and Japan during a virtual meeting with Biden and Ishiba, emphasizing the need for ongoing collaboration in the Indo-Pacific region. The leaders discussed maritime security and economic cooperation, particularly in light of China's assertive actions in disputed waters. Analysts suggest that Marcos will need to effectively communicate the benefits of trade with the Philippines to the incoming Trump administration, amid concerns over potential tariffs. Overall, there is cautious optimism that the U.S. commitment to the Indo-Pacific strategy will remain consistent across administrations.