President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday agreed to further strengthen the Philippines-US collaboration on various areas of mutual interest to effectively respond to current and emerging challenges.

President Marcos welcomed Rubio in Malacañang for the latter’s courtesy call. Rubio is in Manila to participate in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Foreign Ministers Meetings and Related Meetings.

“I’m glad that you have had this opportunity to at least engage and have some exchanges with the other foreign secretaries, with other foreign ministers, especially coming out of ASEAN,” President Marcos said in welcoming the US official.

“I’m very glad, as I mentioned to you, we watch the news and we are surprised that you are still able to find time to visit with us,” the President noted.

Among the issues mentioned by the President as areas of cooperation are concerted effort to respond to the effects of the Middle East conflict, new and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), defense and security, as well as economic cooperation.

According to the President, the Philippines and the US can also build further based on the longstanding relations between them, particularly in addressing various issues such as peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific, trade and business cooperation, and disaster response.

Rubio, for his part, thanked President Marcos for welcoming him. He also congratulated the President for doing a great job in hosting the 2026 ASEAN Summit, which, in addition to being very important for the region, also provides an opportunity for wider interaction among countries.

It is Rubio’s first visit to the Philippines as U.S. Secretary of State.

“This is a country that has deep ties to the United States for many, many years. And it’s a partnership that is only growing. And in light of recent events, I think more important than ever,” said the US official.

“And so we’re glad to be with you here today and to reaffirm that relationship and our commitment to the U.S.-Philippines relationship,” he added.

The Philippines and the U.S. formally established diplomatic relations on July 4, 1946, marking 80 years of diplomatic relations this year. It is the Philippines’ oldest and only treaty ally.

Bilateral defense and security engagement remains a key pillar of PH-U.S. bilateral relations and is carried out within the framework of the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT), Visiting Forces Agreement (VEA), Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), and other bilateral agreements.

Regionally, the U.S. has been an ASEAN Dialogue Partner since 1977 and a Comprehensive Strategic Partner since 2022.

In terms of trade, the U.S. is the Philippines’ third largest trading partner, top export market, and fifth largest import supplier as of 2025.

The U.S. is also the Philippines major source of Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) and Official Development Assistance (ODA).

In 2025, net FDI from the U.S. reached US$183.99 million. In 2023, it was the Philippines’ top source of ODA grants, amounting to US$615.97 million. Presidential News Desk