Philippines–United States relations#Bases era (1947–91)

{{Infobox bilateral relations

|Filipino–American|Philippines|USA|filetype = svg

|mission1 = Philippine Embassy, Washington, D.C.

|mission2 = United States Embassy, Manila

|envoytitle1 = Ambassador

|envoy1 = Jose Manuel Romualdez

|envoytitle2 = Ambassador

|envoy2 = MaryKay Carlson

}}

File:P20230501AS-1321.jpg meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden in Washington, D.C., May 1, 2023]]

File:Vice President Harris met with Vice President Sara Duterte of the Philippines in Manila - 2022.jpg meeting with Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte in Manila, November 21, 2022]]

Philippines–United States relations ({{Langx|fil|Ugnayang Pilipinas at Estados Unidos}}) are the bilateral and diplomatic relations of the Republic of the Philippines and the United States of America.

The relationship has been historically strong, described by some as a "special relationship"{{cite journal |last1=Salans |first1=Carl F. |last2=Belmans |first2=Murray J. |title=An Appraisal of the United States—Philippines' Special Relationship |journal=Washington Law Review |date=August 1, 1965 |volume=40 |issue=3 |pages=447–476 |url=https://digitalcommons.law.uw.edu/wlr/vol40/iss3/5 |access-date=November 4, 2023}}{{Cite journal|title=US-Philippines: The End of a Special Relationship|journal=The World Today|volume=31}} as a consequence of the Philippines' American colonial period between 1898 and 1946. The Philippines is one of the United States oldest Asian partners and a strategically major non-NATO ally.{{citation needed|date=June 2024}} Since 1951, the countries have been formally bound in a mutual defense treaty. An outlier was the early presidency of Rodrigo Duterte, who sought closer relations with China and Russia.{{Cite web |title=Duterte aligns Philippines with China, says U.S. has lost |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-philippines-idUSKCN12K0AS |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170703000614/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-philippines-idUSKCN12K0AS |archive-date=July 3, 2017 |access-date=October 18, 2016 |website=reuters.com}}

The United States was consistently ranked as one of the Philippines' favorite nations in the world—90% of Filipinos viewed the U.S. and 91% viewed Americans favorably in 2002;[http://www.pewglobal.org/database/indicator/1/country/173/ Opinion of the United States – Philippines] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130711012236/http://www.pewglobal.org/database/indicator/1/country/173/ |date=July 11, 2013 }} Pew Research Center[http://www.pewglobal.org/database/indicator/2/country/173/ Opinion of Americans – Philippines] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130716043308/http://www.pewglobal.org/database/indicator/2/country/173/ |date=July 16, 2013 }} Pew Research Center 90% viewed U.S. influence positively in 2011;{{cite web |url=http://www.worldpublicopinion.org/pipa/pdf/mar11/BBCEvalsUS_Mar11_rpt.pdf |title=Views of US Continue to Improve in 2011 BBC Country Rating Poll |website=www.worldpublicopinion.org |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121123070720/http://www.worldpublicopinion.org/pipa/pdf/mar11/BBCEvalsUS_Mar11_rpt.pdf |archive-date=November 23, 2012}}' 85% viewed the U.S. and Americans favorably in 2013;{{cite news |last=Santos |first=Matikas |date=April 22, 2014 |title=85% of Filipinos love US – survey |url=http://globalnation.inquirer.net/102487/many-filipinos-love-us-survey |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |location=Philippines |access-date=May 13, 2015 |archive-date=June 18, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150618022015/http://globalnation.inquirer.net/102487/many-filipinos-love-us-survey |url-status=live }} 92% viewed the U.S. favorably in 2015;{{cite web|url=http://www.pewglobal.org/database/indicator/1/survey/17/|title=Opinion of the United States|author=|date=2015|website=Global Attitudes & Trends|publisher=Pew Research Center|access-date=August 15, 2017|archive-date=August 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170815104337/http://www.pewglobal.org/database/indicator/1/survey/17/|url-status=live}} and 94% had confidence in then-U.S. president Barack Obama{{cite web|url=http://www.pewglobal.org/database/indicator/6/survey/17/|title=Confidence in the U.S. President|author=|date=2015|website=Global Attitudes & Trends|publisher=Pew Research Center|access-date=August 15, 2017|archive-date=February 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190211080600/http://www.pewglobal.org/database/indicator/6/survey/17/|url-status=live}}—making the Philippines one of the most pro-American countries in the world.[http://www.pewglobal.org/database/indicator/1/ Global Views of the United States] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181224224240/http://www.pewglobal.org/database/indicator/1/ |date=December 24, 2018 }}
{{cite magazine |last=Subramanian |first=Courtney |title=Pakistan Is No Fan of the U.S., But the Philippines Still Likes Us |url=https://newsfeed.time.com/2013/07/19/pakistan-is-no-fan-of-the-u-s-but-the-philippines-still-likes-us/ |magazine=Time |location=United States |date=July 19, 2013 |access-date=May 13, 2015 |archive-date=March 18, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160318180204/http://newsfeed.time.com/2013/07/19/pakistan-is-no-fan-of-the-u-s-but-the-philippines-still-likes-us/ |url-status=live }}

This article discusses Philippine–American relations after Philippine independence from the United States in 1946, while the article History of the Philippines (1898–1946) describes the history of the Philippines during American colonial rule.

History

The Republic of the Philippines and the United States of America have a long and storied history with each other. Firstly, Filipinos are the oldest Asian ethnic group in the Americas. Filipino sailors were the first Asians in North America.{{cite web |url=https://www.pbs.org/ancestorsintheamericas/program1_1.html |title=Part 1. COOLIES, SAILORS AND SETTLERS |author=Loni Ding |year=2001 |work=NAATA |publisher=PBS |access-date=August 20, 2011 |quote=Most people think of Asians as recent immigrants to the Americas, but the first Asians—Filipino sailors—settled in the bayous of Louisiana a decade before the Revolutionary War. |archive-date=May 16, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120516002553/http://www.pbs.org/ancestorsintheamericas/program1_1.html |url-status=live }} The first documented presence of Filipinos in what is now the United States dates back to October 1587 around Morro Bay, California.{{cite book|last=Bonus|first=Rick|title=Locating Filipino Americans: Ethnicity and the Cultural Politics of Space|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Kub5edzzP50C|year=2000|publisher=Temple University Press|isbn=978-1-56639-779-7|page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=Kub5edzzP50C&pg=PA191 191]|access-date=May 19, 2017|archive-date=January 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126001548/https://books.google.com/books?id=Kub5edzzP50C|url-status=live}}
{{cite web | title=Historic Site | url=http://morro-bay.com/historical/Philippine-plaque/text-of-plaque.htm | publisher=Michael L. Baird | access-date=April 5, 2009 | archive-date=June 24, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110624231335/http://morro-bay.com/historical/Philippine-plaque/text-of-plaque.htm | url-status=live }} The first permanent settlement of Filipinos was in Louisiana in 1763;{{cite web |url=http://personal.anderson.ucla.edu/eloisa.borah/chronology.pdf |title=Chronology of Filipinos in America Pre-1989 |author=Eloisa Gomez Borah |year=1997 |work=Anderson School of Management |publisher=University of California, Los Angeles |access-date=February 25, 2012 |archive-date=February 8, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120208123432/http://personal.anderson.ucla.edu/eloisa.borah/chronology.pdf |url-status=dead }} the settlers there were called "Manilamen", and they served in the Battle of New Orleans during the closing stages of the War of 1812, supporting the Americans against the British Empire. The American state of Texas, due to it being a former Spanish territory, was even once called "New Philippines", so named since the Spanish wanted to replicate the prosperity they achieved in the Philippines in that territory in the Americas.{{cite journal |author1=Guadalupe Curiel Defossé |title=Tierra incógnita, tierra de misiones y presidios - El noreste novohispano según fray Juan Agustín Morfi, 1673-1779 |journal=Históricas Digital |date=2016 |volume=98 |page=110 |url=https://www.historicas.unam.mx/publicaciones/publicadigital/libros/tierra_incognita/04_03_capituloIII.pdf |access-date=September 2, 2021 |series=Historia Novohispana |publisher=Instituto de Investigaciones Históricas - Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México |language=es |quote=Se trata de Juan Antonio de la Peña, Derrotero de la expedición en la provincia de los Texas, Nuevo Reino de Filipinas}} The 1898 Philippine Revolution against Spain was inspired by the French and American revolutions. The United States eventually purchased the Philippines from Spain in the Treaty of Paris, and afterwards the Americans invaded and destroyed the First Philippine Republic in the Philippine–American War.

The United States federal government nearly considered selling Mindanao to the German Empire in 1910.{{cite news |last1=Ichimura |first1=Anri |title=How Mindanao Was Almost Sold to the Germans by the Americans |url=https://www.esquiremag.ph/culture/lifestyle/mindanao-germany-americans-a1926-20190916 |access-date=April 6, 2023 |work=Esquire |date=September 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230317163648/https://www.esquiremag.ph/culture/lifestyle/mindanao-germany-americans-a1926-20190916 |archive-date=March 17, 2023 |language=en|url-status=live}}

Except for the brief interruption of the Japanese occupation between 1942 and 1945, the United States ruled the Philippines from 1898 to 1946, after which, the Philippines was granted independence after being devastated by the Second World War.{{citation needed|date=February 2022}}

In the Second World War, the Filipinos formed a close alliance with the United States to resist Japanese occupation -- they became independent on July 4, 1946.{{Cite web |title=Philippine-American War, U.S. imperialism, Emilio Aguinaldo, Philippines, Spanish-American War, colonialism, American expansion, 1899-1902 |url=https://billofrightsinstitute.org/essays/the-philippine-american-war |access-date=2024-12-27 |website=Bill of Rights Institute |language=en}}

During the Cold War between the Capitalist United States and Communist Soviet Union, in Asia, despite being devastated by World War 2, defending US interests, and being a former colony, the Philippines, received negligible financial assistance from the United States with only $5 Billion US Dollars worth of aid in totality since Independence[https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/things-to-know-united-states-aid-foreign-assistance/ Impact of Trump’s freeze order on USAID in the Philippines, world] compared to the copious amount of free development aid given to other Asian allies like: Israel ($317.9 Billion US Dollars in free aid), South Korea ($119.9 Billion US dollars in free aid)[https://usafacts.org/articles/how-much-military-aid-does-the-us-give-to-israel/ Which countries receive the most foreign aid from the US?] USAFacts. Updated on October 12, 2023.{{cite web |last1=Lee |first1= Sung-Yoon |author1-link=Dr. Sung-Yoon Lee PHD|title=America's Role in South Korea's Economic Miracle|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUlf9KtbqC8&feature=youtu.be |website=youtube.com |publisher=Foreign Policy Association |language=en |format=video |date=May 12, 2020}} South Vietnam ($104 Billion Dollars in free aid),[https://usafacts.org/articles/which-countries-receive-the-most-aid-from-the-us/ Which countries receive the most foreign aid from the US?] USAFacts. Updated on October 12, 2023. Taiwan, ($41.81015 Billion US Dollars in free aid by year 1975[https://www.econstor.eu/bitstream/10419/93677/1/767437535.pdf Aid and development in Taiwan, South Korea, and South Vietnam By: Gray, Kevin] which convert to $242 Billion US Dollars in 2024 values as adjusted for inflation)[https://www.in2013dollars.com/us/inflation/1975?amount=1 CPI Inflation Calculator] and Japan,{{Cite book|title=Industrialization of Japan|last=Ichiro|first=Nakayama|year=1964|location=Tokyo|pages=7}}{{cite book|last=Orr|first=Robert|title=Winning the Peace: An American Strategy for Post-Conflict Reconstruction|year=2004|publisher=The CSIS Press|location=Washington D.C.|pages=183|isbn=9780892064441}} as the United States considered their economic development more important than that of the Philippines because they had hostile Pro-Soviet Union neighbors which the United States were opposed to.{{Cite book |last1=Doyle |first1=Edward |url=https://archive.org/details/collisionofcultu00doyl |title=The Vietnam Experience, a Collision of Cultures |last2=Weiss |first2=Stephen |publisher=Boston Publishing Company |year=1984 |isbn=978-0939526123 |url-access=registration}} Furthermore, America applied a deindustrialization policy and supported Free Market reforms in the Philippines, assigning it a role of only "supplying raw materials" while being open to foreign imports, because Japan was designated to be the main industrial export power in Asia, thus retarding Industrialization efforts in the Philippines while the other nations that were protectionist and had Industrial Policy surged ahead in development.[https://books.google.com.ph/books/about/America_s_Double_cross_of_the_Philippine.html?id=qfJxAAAAMAAJ&redir_esc=y America's Double-cross of the Philippines: A Democratic Ally in 1899 and 1946 By Salvador Araneta]{{rp|42,43}}https://www.bulatlat.com/news/4-40/4-40-roots.html

The US supported the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos.{{cite web | url=https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1969-76v20/d260 | title=Historical Documents - Office of the Historian }}

=Pivot to China during the Duterte administration=

File:Donald Trump and Rodrigo Duterte in Manila (3).jpg meeting with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte in Manila, November 13, 2017]]

After President Rodrigo Duterte formally assumed the office on June 30, 2016, US–Philippine relations began to sour. A rift between Duterte and then-US President Barack Obama began when Obama expressed his concern over human rights issues on Duterte's "War on Criminality and Drugs". According to a statement issued by the White House, Obama commended the country for its "vibrant democracy", but also highlighted "enduring values" that underpinned their "longstanding ties", including "shared commitments to democracy, human rights and rule of law".{{Cite web|url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2016/05/17/readout-presidents-call-president-elect-rodrigo-duterte-philippines|title=Readout of the President's Call with President-elect Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines|date=May 17, 2016|access-date=September 28, 2016|archive-date=October 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009041616/https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2016/05/17/readout-presidents-call-president-elect-rodrigo-duterte-philippines|url-status=live}} This intervention and President Duterte's choice of words while speaking about President Obama during a press conference, where he infamously called him "a son of a whore" resulted in a canceled meeting between the two leaders during the 2016 ASEAN summit held in Laos.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/sep/05/philippines-president-rodrigo-duterte-barack-obama-son-whore|title=Barack Obama cancels meeting after Philippines president calls him 'son of a whore'|last=Gayle|first=Damien|date=September 5, 2016|newspaper=The Guardian|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|access-date=September 28, 2016|archive-date=December 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191202115400/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/sep/05/philippines-president-rodrigo-duterte-barack-obama-son-whore|url-status=live}}

A few weeks later, Duterte suggested American special forces cease their operations in Mindanao and leave.{{Cite web |last=Mogato |first=Manuel |date=September 13, 2016 |title=Duterte says he wants U.S. special forces out of southern Philippines |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/world/duterte-says-he-wants-us-special-forces-out-of-southern-philippines-idUSKCN11I0XR/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240725065543/https://www.reuters.com/article/world/duterte-says-he-wants-us-special-forces-out-of-southern-philippines-idUSKCN11I0XR/ |archive-date=July 25, 2024 |access-date=July 25, 2024 |website=Reuters}} He cited the killings of Muslim Filipinos during a U.S. pacification campaign in the early 1900s, which he said were at the root of the long restiveness by minority Muslims in the largely Catholic nation's south.{{Cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/world/2016/09/13/duterte-wants-us-forces-out-southern-philippines.html|title=Duterte Wants Us Forces Out Of Southern Philippines|website=Fox News|date=September 13, 2016|language=en-US|access-date=September 28, 2016|archive-date=October 2, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002082431/http://www.foxnews.com/world/2016/09/13/duterte-wants-us-forces-out-southern-philippines.html|url-status=live}} During an official visit to Vietnam on September 28, 2016, he explicitly expressed his desire to end the Philippines' joint military exercises with the United States. Duterte announced the upcoming scheduled war games would be the last under his term, while adding that he would continue to uphold the Philippines' treaties with the U.S.{{Cite web|url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/583128/news/nation/duterte-announces-end-to-military-exercises-with-us#sthash.jhZwFfGY.dpuf|title=TO APPEASE CHINA: Duterte announces end to military exercises with US|date=September 28, 2016 |access-date=September 28, 2016|archive-date=January 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170109002839/http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/583128/news/nation/duterte-announces-end-to-military-exercises-with-us#sthash.jhZwFfGY.dpuf|url-status=live}}

{{as of|2016|10}}, despite Duterte's shift of foreign policy towards China and away from the U.S., Filipinos still held low approval and trust in China relative to the U.S.{{Cite web |url=https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2016/07/18/poor-trust-rating-to-china.html |title=Filipinos give 'poor' trust rating to China – SWS poll |orig-date=July 18, 2016 |date=October 18, 2016 |website=CNN |access-date=October 25, 2021 |archive-date=March 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210313064630/https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2016/07/18/poor-trust-rating-to-china.html |url-status=dead}} On former president Fidel Ramos' resignation as special envoy to China, he stated that he didn't like Duterte's treatment of Obama.{{Cite web |url=http://globalnation.inquirer.net/148483/duterte-on-ramos-hes-a-graduate-of-west-point-i-am-just-a-local-boy |title=Duterte on Ramos: He's a graduate of West Point, I am just a local boy | Global News |website=globalnation.inquirer.net |date=November 2016 |access-date=November 2, 2016 |archive-date=May 15, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190515085433/https://globalnation.inquirer.net/148483/duterte-on-ramos-hes-a-graduate-of-west-point-i-am-just-a-local-boy |url-status=live }}

Duterte later said following the 2016 U.S. presidential election that he would stop quarrels with the U.S. following President Donald Trump's victory.{{Cite news| url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN13412N| title=Philippines' Duterte says to stop quarrels with U.S. After Trump win| newspaper=Reuters| date=November 9, 2016| access-date=July 1, 2017| archive-date=November 8, 2020| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108130721/https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN13412N| url-status=live}} Trump had planned to continue to aid the country during his presidency.{{Cite news|url = https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/13/world/asia/trump-duterte-philippines.html|title = Trump Lauds 'Great Relationship' with Duterte in Manila|newspaper = The New York Times|date = November 13, 2017|last1 = Davis|first1 = Julie Hirschfeld|access-date = March 26, 2018|archive-date = March 26, 2018|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180326153213/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/13/world/asia/trump-duterte-philippines.html|url-status = live}}{{update inline|reason=Did anything come from those plans during his now-finished presidency?|date=February 2022}}

According to a report by Reuters, the United States ran the #ChinaAngVirus disinformation campaign to discredit the Sinovac Chinese COVID-19 vaccine, including using fake social media accounts to spread the disinformation that it contained pork-derived ingredients and was therefore haram under Islamic law.{{Cite news |last1=Bing |first1=Chris |last2=Schechtman |first2=Joel |date=June 14, 2024 |title=Pentagon Ran Secret Anti-Vax Campaign to Undermine China during Pandemic |url=https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/usa-covid-propaganda/ |work=Reuters}} The campaign primarily targeted people in the Philippines and used a social media hashtag for "China is the virus" in Tagalog. The campaign ran from 2020 to mid-2021. The primary contractor for the U.S. military on the project was General Dynamics IT, which received $493 million for its role.

=Relations during the Marcos Jr. administration=

File:Secretary Blinken Meets with Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. (52268801734).jpg, meet with Philippine officials, led by President Bongbong Marcos, in 2022]]

Bongbong Marcos, president since June 2022, appears to be attempting to normalize relations with the United States in part due to China's geostrategic rise and the need to cooperate on the economy.{{Cite news | url=https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/09/21/news/national/marcos-eyes-stronger-ties-with-us/1859253| title=Marcos eyes stronger ties with US| newspaper=The Manila Times|date = September 21, 2022|last1=Valente|first1=Catherine}} However, the Biden administration has said human rights will come first in America's dealings with the Philippines, responding to concerns with Marcos' and Duterte's human rights records.

In August 2022, Marcos met with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.{{Cite news |last=Wong |first=Edward |date=2022-08-06 |title=In the Philippines, Blinken Vows to Strengthen Military Ties |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/06/world/asia/blinken-philippines-us-asia-tensions.html |access-date=2024-06-02 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}{{cite web | title=Blinken meets with {{sic|Philli|pine's|nolink=y}} President Marcos | website=USA TODAY - Breaking News and Latest News Today | date=August 6, 2022 | url=https://www.usatoday.com/videos/news/nation/2022/08/06/blinken-meets-{{sic|philli|pines|hide=y}}-president-marcos/10256588002/ | access-date=April 13, 2023}} He met with U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff in November.{{cite web | last=Tatad | first=Francisco S. | title=What BBM can tell VP Harris | website=The Manila Times | date=November 21, 2022 | url=https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/11/21/opinion/columns/what-bbm-can-tell-vp-harris/1867130 | access-date=April 13, 2023}}

Marcos and U.S. President Joe Biden met face-to-face on the sidelines of the 2022 United Nations General Assembly on September 23. During Marcos's working visit to the United States on September 18–24, top financial officials secured investment pledges of $4 billion and 100,000 jobs for the Philippines. Biden pledged to help the Philippines with energy and food security,{{cite web | title=Biden seeks closer ties with Philippines after 'rocky' past | website=NBC News | date=September 23, 2022 | url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/joe-biden-ferdinand-marcos-jr-philippines-rcna49083 | access-date=April 15, 2023}}{{cite web | last1=Gomez|first1=Jim|last2=Calupitan|first2=Joeal|title=Marcos Jr. reaffirms US ties in first 100 days of presidency | website=ABC News | date=October 7, 2022 | url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/marcos-jr-reaffirms-us-ties-100-days-presidency-91153263 | access-date=April 13, 2023}} reiterating that message during the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summits in Cambodia during the week of November 9–13, 2022.{{cite web | title=

ASEAN-U.S. Leaders' Statement on the Establishment of the ASEAN-U.S. Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

| website=ASEAN Official Site | url=https://asean.org/asean-u-s-leaders-statement-on-the-establishment-of-the-asean-u-s-comprehensive-strategic-partnership-2/ |date=November 13, 2022| access-date=April 13, 2023}}{{cite web | last=Kurlantzick | first=Joshua | title=Reflections on the ASEAN Summit and the ASEAN-U.S. Summit in Cambodia | website=Council on Foreign Relations | date=November 15, 2022 | url=https://www.cfr.org/article/reflections-asean-summit-and-asean-us-summit-cambodia | access-date=April 13, 2023}}

In February 2023, Marcos briefly met with Biden's Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to finalize an agreement to add U.S.-accessible Philippine military bases to the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement.{{cite web | title='A big deal': US, Philippines tighten military ties | last1=Gomez|first1=Jim|last2=Knickmeyer|first2=Ellen|website=AP NEWS | date=February 2, 2023 | url=https://apnews.com/article/taiwan-politics-united-states-government-ferdinand-marcos-jr-lloyd-austin-149f981290f849c62a684bea5d0d276b | access-date=April 12, 2023}}{{cite web | last=Grossman | first=Derek | title=The Philippines Is America's New Star Ally in Asia | website=Foreign Policy | date=February 21, 2023 | url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2023/02/21/philippines-marcos-bongbong-china-japan-us-alliance-indo-pacific-geopolitics/ | access-date=April 12, 2023}}

On April 11, 2024, Marcos along with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida met with Biden in Washington, D.C., for a trilateral summit. President Marcos Jr. stated that the summit would include discussions on an agreement to maintain security and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. He further emphasized that the summit was mainly aimed at boosting economic ties between the three allies.{{Cite web |title=Philippines president says summit with U.S., Japan to include South China Sea cooperation |website=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/philippines-president-says-trilateral-summit-with-us-japan-include-south-china-2024-04-10/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240411043820/https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/philippines-president-says-trilateral-summit-with-us-japan-include-south-china-2024-04-10/ |archive-date=2024-04-11 |access-date=2024-04-12}}

In August 2024, the Biden administration announced an additional $500 million of military aid to the Philippines, further bolstering the defense alliance between the two nations and in light of the Philippines grappling with aggressive actions by Chinese ships in the South China Sea.{{Cite news |last=Wong |first=Edward |date=2024-07-30 |title=U.S. Pledges $500 Million in New Military Aid to the Philippines, as China Asserts Sea Claims |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/30/world/asia/us-philippines-military-aid-china.html |access-date=2024-08-01 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}

Military agreements

File:Truman Quirino.jpg with Harry S. Truman at the White House, September 13, 1951]]

File:Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos with the Nixons.jpg and First Lady Pat Nixon with President Ferdinand Marcos and First Lady Imelda Marcos during a state visit at the Malacañang Palace, July 26, 1969]]

File:President Ronald Reagan meeting with President Corazon Aquino of the Philippines in the Oval Office.jpg of the United States meeting with President Corazon Aquino of the Philippines in the Oval Office, September 17, 1986]]

= Bases era (1947–91) =

A 1947 Military Bases Agreement{{cite web|url=https://www.loc.gov/law/help/us-treaties/bevans/b-ph-ust000011-0055.pdf|title=Agreement between the United States of America and the Republic of the Philippines Concerning Military Bases|date=March 14, 1947|publisher=United States Library of Congress|access-date=December 16, 2017|archive-date=February 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170212010914/https://www.loc.gov/law/help/us-treaties/bevans/b-ph-ust000011-0055.pdf|url-status=live}} gave the United States a 99-year lease on a number of Philippine military and naval bases in which U.S. authorities had virtual territorial rights.{{cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/The-early-republic#ref387410|title=Philippines : The Early Republic|publisher=britannica.com|access-date=December 16, 2017|archive-date=December 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171216144620/https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/The-early-republic#ref387410|url-status=live}} In August 1951, a mutual defense treaty (MDT) was signed between representatives of the Philippines and the United States. The overall accord contained eight articles and dictated that both nations would support each other if either the Philippines or the United States were to be attacked by an external party. An amendment to the bases agreement in 1966 reduced its 99-year term to 25 years.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/09/16/world/philippine-senate-votes-to-reject-us-base-renewal.html|title=PHILIPPINE SENATE VOTES TO REJECT U.S. BASE RENEWAL|date=September 16, 1991|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=January 29, 2018|archive-date=March 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180319152855/https://www.nytimes.com/1991/09/16/world/philippine-senate-votes-to-reject-us-base-renewal.html|url-status=live}} In 1979, after two years of negotiation, the bases agreement was renewed with some amendments.{{cite book|last=Rodriguez|first=Dylan|title=Suspended Apocalypse: White Supremacy, Genocide, and the Filipino Condition|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ERde5HJQo0cC|year=2010|publisher=U of Minnesota Press|isbn=978-0-8166-5349-2|page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=I0un2XY17VkC&dq=bases+agreement+renew&pg=PA892 892]|access-date=December 17, 2017|archive-date=April 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200419120655/https://books.google.com/books?id=ERde5HJQo0cC|url-status=live}}

Pursuant to the bases agreement, the United States maintained and operated major facilities at Clark Air Base until November 1991,{{cite news|last=Drogin|first=Bob|title=After 89 Years, U.S. Lowers Flag at Clark Air Base|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-11-27-mn-209-story.html|access-date=March 12, 2011|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=November 27, 1991|archive-date=December 25, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111225214542/http://articles.latimes.com/1991-11-27/news/mn-209_1_clark-air-base|url-status=live}} and at Subic Bay Naval Complex and several small subsidiary installations in the Philippines until November 1992.

In July 1991, negotiators from the two countries reached an agreement on a draft treaty providing for the clean-up and turnover of Clark Air Base to the Philippine government in 1992, and for the lease of Subic Bay Naval Base by the U.S. for ten years.{{cite news|last=Broder|first=John M.|title=U.S. Reaches Accord With Manila, Will Leave Clark Air Base : Philippines: Volcano causes abandonment of field. But Americans will keep Subic Naval Base for 10 years.|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-07-18-mn-3381-story.html|access-date=March 12, 2011|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=July 18, 1991|archive-date=December 25, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111225205959/http://articles.latimes.com/1991-07-18/news/mn-3381_1_clark-air-base|url-status=live}} By 1991, operations at Clark had already been scaled back as the Cold War ended, with the last combat aircraft leaving in 1990 before the base was heavily damaged by the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo.{{cite news|last=Drogin|first=Bob|title=After 89 Years, U.S. Lowers Flag at Clark Air Base|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-11-27-mn-209-story.html|access-date=March 12, 2011|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=November 27, 1991|archive-date=December 25, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111225214542/http://articles.latimes.com/1991-11-27/news/mn-209_1_clark-air-base|url-status=live}}

On September 16, 1991, the Philippine Senate rejected renewal of the bases agreement by a slim margin. A vote resulted in 11 senators in favor of extending the treaty, and 12 senators in favor of suppressing it. The Anti-Bases Coalition, founded by senators Jose W. Diokno and Lorenzo Tañada, led the call to end American military presence in the country. At the time of the vote, the retired senator Tañada stood up on his wheelchair to rapturous applause shouting, "Mabuhay!" or "Long live the Philippines".[http://www.librarylink.org.ph/revdetails.asp?rev=62 Acosta, Abraham Rey Montecillo. "Super Lolo", A Review of The Odyssey of Lorenzo M. Tañada by Agnes G. Bailen, UP Press, 1998 (note: Agnes Bailen was a former UP Department of Political Science senior lecturer); "Book Reviews", the Philippine Collegian, November 23, 1998; and LibraryLink.org, 2004], retrieved on: July 9, 2007

class="wikitable"

|+1991 Philippine Senate vote on US base renewal

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!Voted to extend !! Voted against extending

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|valign="top"|

Despite further efforts to salvage the situation, the two sides could not reach an agreement. As a result, the Philippine Government informed the U.S. on December 6, 1991, that it would have one year to complete withdrawal. That withdrawal went smoothly and was completed ahead of schedule, with the last U.S. forces departing on November 24, 1992. On departure, the U.S. Government turned over assets worth more than $1.3 billion to the Philippines, including an airport and ship-repair facility. Agencies formed by the Philippine Government converted the former military bases for civilian commercial use, with Subic Bay serving as a flagship for that effort.

= Visiting Forces Agreement =

{{main article| Philippines–United States Visiting Forces Agreement}}

File:Estrada-Clinton 2000.jpg meeting with President Joseph Estrada in the Oval Office, July 27, 2000]]

File:George W. Bush & Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo hold press conference 2003-05-19.jpg and President George W. Bush hold a joint press conference in the East Room, May 19, 2003]]

The post-U.S. bases era saw U.S.–Philippine relations improve and broaden, with a prominent focus on economic and commercial ties while maintaining the importance of the security dimension.{{citation needed|date=June 2024}} U.S. investment continued to play an important role in the Philippine economy,{{citation needed|date=June 2024}} while a strong security relationship rested on the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) of 1951. In February 1998, U.S. and Philippine negotiators concluded the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), paving the way for increased military cooperation under the MDT. The agreement was approved by the Philippine Senate in May 1999 and entered into force on June 1, 1999.{{Cite PH act|url=https://chanrobles.com/cralaw/2000octoberdecisions.php?id=1169|chamber=GR|number=138698|date=October 10, 2000|title=Jovito R. Salonga, Wigberto Tañada, Zenaida Quezon Avenceña, Rolando Simbulan, Pablito V. Sanidad, Ma. Socorro I. Diokno, Agapito A. Aquino, Joker P. Arroyo, Francisco C. Rivera Jr., Rene A.V. Saguisag, Kilosbayan, Movement of Attorneys for Brotherhood, Integrity and Nationalism, Inc. (MABINI), petitioners, v. The Executive Secretary, The Secretary of Foreign Affairs, The Secretary of National Defense, Senate President Marcelo B. Fernan, Senator Blas F. Ople, Senator Rodolfo G. Biazon, and all other persons acting under their control, supervision, direction, and instruction in relation to the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), Respondents|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090726065348/http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2000/oct2000/138570.htm#_ednref9|archive-date=July 26, 2009}}

Under the VFA, the U.S. conducted ship visits to Philippine ports and resumed large combined military exercises with Philippine forces.{{citation needed|date=June 2024}} Key events in the bilateral relationship included the July 4, 1996, declaration by President Ramos of Philippine-American Friendship Day in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Philippine independence.{{Cite PH act|url=https://lawphil.net/executive/proc/proc1996/pdf/proc_811_1996.pdf|chamber=PP|number=811|date=June 17, 1996|year=1996|title=Declaring Thursday, July 4 1996, as a special day throughout the country|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240725072517/https://lawphil.net/executive/proc/proc1996/pdf/proc_811_1996.pdf|archive-date=July 25, 2024}} Ramos visited the U.S. in April 1998, and then-President Estrada visited in July 2000. President Arroyo met with President Bush in an official working visit in November 2001 and made a state visit in Washington on May 19, 2003.{{Cite web |title=Visits By Foreign Leaders of Philippines |url=https://history.state.gov/departmenthistory/visits/philippines |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240523030452/https://history.state.gov/departmenthistory/visits/philippines |archive-date=May 23, 2024 |access-date=July 25, 2024 |website=Office of the Historian}} President Bush made a state visit to the Philippines on October 18, 2003, during which he addressed a joint session of the Philippine Congress—the first American President to do so since Dwight D. Eisenhower.{{Cite web |last=Reynolds |first=Maura |date=October 19, 2003 |title=Bush speeds through Manila |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-2003-10-19-0310190179-story.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417001818/https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-2003-10-19-0310190179-story.html |archive-date=April 17, 2023 |website=The Baltimore Sun}}

President Arroyo repeatedly stressed the close friendship between the Philippines and the U.S. and her desire to expand bilateral ties further.{{citation needed|date=June 2024}} Both governments tried to revitalize and strengthen their partnership by working toward greater security, prosperity, and service to Filipinos and Americans alike.{{citation needed|date=June 2024}} Inaugurated into office on the same day as President Bush, President Arroyo lent strong support to the Global War on Terrorism.{{Cite journal |last=Banlaoi |first=Rommel C. |date=2002 |title=The Role of Philippine—American Relations in the Global Campaign Against Terrorism: Implications for Regional Security |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/25798598 |journal=Contemporary Southeast Asia |volume=24 |issue=2 |pages=294–295 |jstor=25798598 |issn=0129-797X }} In October 2003, the U.S. designated the Philippines as a major non-NATO ally.{{Cite web |date=2003-10-20 |title=Designation of the Philippines as a Major Non- NATO Ally |url=https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2003/10/20/03-26528/designation-of-the-philippines-as-a-major-non--nato-ally |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210328184857/https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2003/10/20/03-26528/designation-of-the-philippines-as-a-major-non--nato-ally |archive-date=March 28, 2021 |access-date=2024-07-25 |website=Federal Register |language=en |url-status=live }} That same month, the Philippines joined the select group of countries to have ratified all 12 UN counterterrorism conventions.{{citation needed|date=June 2024}}

On February 7, 2020, President Rodrigo Duterte officially ordered the termination of the VFA as a response to an accumulation of a series of "disrespectful acts" by a few US senators directed against the sovereignty of the Republic of the Philippines.{{Cite web|url=https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/02/07/duterte-determined-to-scrap-vfa|title=Duterte determined to scrap VFA|website=Manila Bulletin News}}{{Dead link|date=July 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} On February 11, 2020, the Philippine government officially notified the U.S. that it would be terminating the VFA.{{cite news|url=https://globalnation.inquirer.net/185186/fwd-breaking-philippines-officially-terminates-vfa-with-us|title=BREAKING: Philippines officially terminates VFA with US|date=February 11, 2020|newspaper=The Philippine Daily Inquirer|access-date=February 12, 2020|archive-date=February 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200212164658/https://globalnation.inquirer.net/185186/fwd-breaking-philippines-officially-terminates-vfa-with-us|url-status=live}} In response, Secretary of Defense Mark Esper called the move "unfortunate". President Trump said "I don't really mind if they would like to do that", as he claimed, "it will save a lot of money".{{Cite web |last=Pickrell |first=Ryan |title=Trump says he doesn't mind that a key Pacific ally is tearing up a military pact with the US, a move the Pentagon called 'unfortunate' |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-says-he-doesnt-mind-if-philippines-ends-military-pact-2020-2 |access-date=2024-03-08 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}} Duterte would later backtrack and suspended the process of termination in June and November 2020 before officially restoring the agreement in June 2021.{{Cite web |title=Duterte's back-down on US forces in Philippines {{!}} Lowy Institute |url=https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/duterte-s-back-down-us-forces-philippines |access-date=2024-03-08 |website=www.lowyinstitute.org |language=en}}

= Annual military exercises =

File:Flickr - Official U.S. Navy Imagery - U.S. Marines and Philippine marines conduct a patrol..jpg

The annual Balikatan ("shoulder-to-shoulder") bilateral military exercises contribute directly to the Philippine armed forces' efforts to root out Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiyah terrorists and bring development to formerly terrorist-plagued areas, notably Basilan and Jolo.{{citation needed|date=June 2024}} They include not only combined military training but also civil-military affairs and humanitarian projects.{{citation needed|date=June 2024}}

The International Military Education and Training (IMET) program is the largest in the Pacific and the third-largest in the world, and a Mutual Logistics Support Agreement (MLSA) was signed in November 2002.{{citation needed|date=June 2024}} Similarly, law enforcement cooperation have reached new levels: U.S. and Philippine agencies have cooperated to bring charges against numerous terrorists, to implement the countries' extradition treaty, and to train thousands of Filipino law enforcement officers.{{citation needed|date=June 2024}} There is a Senior Law Enforcement Advisor helping the Philippine National Police with its Transformation Program.{{citation needed|date=June 2024}}

USAID programs support the Philippines' war on poverty as well as the government's reform agenda in critical areas, including anti-money laundering, rule of law, tax collection, and trade and investment.{{citation needed|date=June 2024}} Other USAID programs have bolstered the government's efforts to heal divisions in Philippine society through a focus on conflict resolution, livelihood enhancement for former combatants, and economic development in Mindanao and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, which are among the poorest areas in the country.{{citation needed|date=June 2024}} Meanwhile, important programs continue in modern family planning, infectious disease control, environmental protection, rural electrification, and provision of basic services—as well as PL 480 food aid programs and others—which together totaled $211.3 million.{{citation needed|date=June 2024}} In 2006, the Millennium Challenge Corporation granted $21 million to the Philippines for a threshold program addressing corruption in revenue administration.{{citation needed|date=June 2024}}

Nearly 400,000 Americans visit the Philippines each year.{{citation needed|date=June 2024}} Providing government services to U.S. and other citizens, therefore, constitutes an important aspect of the bilateral relationship. Those services include veterans' affairs, social security, and consular operations. Benefits to Filipinos from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Social Security Administration totaled $297,389,415 in 2006.{{citation needed|date=June 2024}} Many people-to-people programs exist between the U.S. and the Philippines, including Fulbright, International Visitors, and Aquino Fellowship exchange programs, as well as the U.S. Peace Corps.{{citation needed|date=June 2024}}

=Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement=

File:Benigno Aquino III and Barack Obama.jpg meeting with Philippine President Benigno Aquino III in Manila, April 28, 2014]]

The Agreement on Enhanced Defense Cooperation (EDCA), a framework agreement that raises the scope of the 1951 MDT, was signed on April 28, 2014.

The Preamble to the EDCA refers to the obligations of the Philippines and the United States, under both the Charter of the United Nations and the MDT, to settle international disputes by peaceful means, not to endanger international peace and security, and to refrain from the threat or use of force "in any manner inconsistent with the purposes of the United Nations".

Importantly, the Preamble notes that both parties "share an understanding for the United States not to establish a permanent military presence or base in the territory of the Philippines". The Preamble later concludes, "all United States access to and use of facilities and areas will be at the invitation of the Philippines and with full respect for the Philippines Constitution and Philippine laws".{{Cite web|url=https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2014/04/29/document-enhanced-defense-cooperation-agreement/|title=Document: Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement between the Philippines and the United States {{!}} GOVPH|website=Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines|date=April 29, 2014 |access-date=September 28, 2016|archive-date=June 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190603102333/https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2014/04/29/document-enhanced-defense-cooperation-agreement/|url-status=live}}

Trade and investment

Image:2 Filipino soldiers painting friendship flags 070217-N-4198C-001 0V7HO.jpg

The 1946 Bell Trade Act and its replacement, the 1955 Laurel–Langley Agreement (which expired in 1974), linked the two countries closely together economically in the first decades of independence.{{cite book |last1=Hedman |first1=Eva-Lotta |title=In the Name of Civil Society: From Free Election Movements to People Power in the Philippines |date=November 30, 2005 |publisher=University of Hawaii Press |isbn=9780824829216 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CIYn9_ZMMesC |page=23 |access-date=February 1, 2021 |archive-date=October 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211025161104/https://books.google.com/books?id=CIYn9_ZMMesC |url-status=live }}

Two-way U.S. merchandise trade with the Philippines amounted to $17.3 billion in 2006 (U.S. Department of Commerce data).{{citation needed|date=June 2024}} According to Philippine Government data, 16% of the Philippines' imports in 2006 came from the U.S., and about 18% of its exports were bound for America.{{citation needed|date=June 2024}} The Philippines ranks as the 26th-largest export market and the 30th-largest supplier of the United States.{{citation needed|date=June 2024}} Key exports to the U.S. are semiconductor devices and computer peripherals, automobile parts, electric machinery, textiles and garments, wheat and animal feeds, and coconut oil.{{citation needed|date=June 2024}} In addition to other goods, the Philippines imports raw and semi-processed materials for the manufacture of semiconductors, electronics and electrical machinery, transport equipment, and cereals and cereal preparations.{{citation needed|date=June 2024}}

The U.S. traditionally has been the Philippines' largest foreign investor, with about $6.6 billion in estimated investment as of end-2005 (U.S. Department of Commerce data).{{citation needed|date=June 2024}} Since the late 1980s, the Philippines has committed itself to reforms that encourage foreign investment as a basis for economic development, subject to certain guidelines and restrictions in specified areas.{{citation needed|date=June 2024}} Under President Ramos, the Philippines expanded reforms, opening the power generation and telecommunications sectors to foreign investment, as well as securing ratification of the Uruguay Round agreement and membership in the World Trade Organization.{{citation needed|date=June 2024}} As noted earlier, President Arroyo's administration has generally continued such reforms despite opposition from vested interests and "nationalist" blocs.{{citation needed|date=June 2024}} A major obstacle has been and will continue to be constitutional restrictions on, among others, foreign ownership of land and public utilities, which limits maximum ownership to 40%.{{citation needed|date=June 2024}}

Over the last two decades, the relatively closed Philippine economy has been opened significantly by foreign exchange deregulation, foreign investment and banking liberalization, tariff and market barrier reduction, and foreign entry into the retail trade sector.{{citation needed|date=June 2024}} The Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 opened opportunities for U.S. firms to participate in the power industry in the Philippines.{{citation needed|date=June 2024}} Information and communications technologies, backroom operations such as call centers, and regional facilities or shared-service centers were probably likewise leading investment opportunities.{{citation needed|date=June 2024}}

During the visit by President Benigno Aquino III to Washington DC, on July 7, 2012, the US–Philippine Society was launched. This non-profit independent organization is tasked with generating awareness about the Philippines in the US. The last board meeting was conducted by the society on January 24, 2013.{{Cite news

| title = Top US firms meet to analyse Philippines

| publisher = Investvine.com

| date = March 1, 2013

| url = http://investvine.com/top-us-firms-meet-to-analyse-philippines/

| access-date = March 5, 2013

| archive-date = March 2, 2013

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130302174620/http://investvine.com/top-us-firms-meet-to-analyse-philippines/

| url-status = live

}}

In its 2013 Special 301 Report, the Office of the United States Trade Representatives wrote "The United States looks to the Philippines to take important steps to address piracy over the internet, in particular with respect to notorious online markets".[http://www.ustr.gov/sites/default/files/05012013%202013%20Special%20301%20Report.pdf 2013 Special 301 Report] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210322230656/https://ustr.gov/sites/default/files/05012013%202013%20Special%20301%20Report.pdf |date=March 22, 2021 }}, Office of the United States Trade Representative. It is speculated that pressure from the United States contributed to the complaint filed by Philippine Association of the Record Industry against the torrent website KickassTorrents, resulting in its seizure by Philippine authorities on June 13, 2013.{{cite web|url=http://torrentfreak.com/kickasstorrents-domain-seized-after-music-industry-complaint-130614/|title=KickassTorrents Domain Seized After Music Industry Complaint - TorrentFreak|date=June 14, 2013|access-date=June 17, 2013|archive-date=June 18, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130618004500/http://torrentfreak.com/kickasstorrents-domain-seized-after-music-industry-complaint-130614/|url-status=live}}

In April 2022, U.S. private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management, together with Dutch shipbuilder consortium Agila, bought out the HHIC Philippines facilities at Redondo Peninsula near the Subic Bay Naval Base in Zambales.{{cite news |title=Former Hanjin Subic Bay Shipyard in Philippines Being Sold to Cerberus |url=https://maritime-executive.com/article/former-hanjin-subic-bay-shipyard-in-philippines-being-sold-to-cerberus |access-date=November 6, 2022 |work=The Maritime Executive |date=March 9, 2022 |language=en}}{{cite news |title=Cerberus-Agila taking over Hanjin Subic shipbuilding facility |url=https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/07/cerberus-agila-taking-over-hanjin-subic-shipbuilding-facility/ |access-date=November 6, 2022 |work=Manila Bulletin |date=March 7, 2022}}{{cite news |last1=Empeño |first1=Henry |title=Subic redux |url=https://businessmirror.com.ph/2022/09/17/subic-redux/ |access-date=November 6, 2022 |work=BusinessMirror |date=September 16, 2022}} Accordingly, the shipyard was renamed as the Agila Subic Multi-Use Facilities.{{cite news |last1=Fadriquela |first1=Jerome |title=PH-UAE defense industry at ship building partnership pinag-aaralan |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/08/31/22/ph-uae-defense-industry-at-ship-building-partnership-pinag-aaralan |access-date=November 6, 2022 |work=TFC News |publisher=ABS-CBN News |date=August 31, 2022 |language=tl}} The Philippine Navy began leasing the shipyard's northern section in May 2022.{{cite news |last1=Mangosing |first1=Frances |title=Navy makes strategic move to Subic shipyard facing WPS |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1602734/navy-makes-strategic-move-to-subic-shipyard-facing-wps |access-date=November 6, 2022 |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=May 26, 2022 |language=en}} American defense contractor Vectrus also moved in.{{cite news |last1=Verdejo |first1=Genivi |title=SBMA sees Agila Subic's takeoff |url=https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/06/01/business/maritime/sbma-sees-agila-subics-takeoff/1845703/ |access-date=November 6, 2022 |work=The Manila Times |date=June 1, 2022 |language=en}}{{cite news |title=US-based Cerberus acquires Hanjin shipyard in Subic Bay |url=https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2022/4/22/Cerberus-conclusion-agreements-Hanjin-shipyard-Subic-Bay.html |access-date=November 6, 2022 |work=CNN Philippines |date=April 22, 2022 |archive-date=November 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221106050214/https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2022/4/22/Cerberus-conclusion-agreements-Hanjin-shipyard-Subic-Bay.html |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |last=|first=|date=November 24, 2022|title=U.S. military poised to return to Subic Bay, counter China's presence|url=https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2022/11/34dad3ba3fae-us-military-poised-to-return-to-subic-bay-counter-chinas-presence.html|newspaper=Kyodo News}}

That same year, the Biden administration pledged to increase cooperation with the Philippines on renewable energy and food prices, and the Marcos Jr. administration secured pledges of 100,000 jobs and $4 billion in American private sector investments. U.S. government officials headed by Vice President Kamala Harris pledged increased aid and investment opportunities to the Philippines on renewable energy, critical minerals supply, women's rights and education, public health and immunology, SpaceX Starlink broadband, and, in the first agreement of its kind, nuclear power planning and American nuclear tech sales.{{cite web | author=The White House | title=FACT SHEET: Vice President Harris Launches New Initiatives to Strengthen U.S.-Philippines Alliance | website=The White House | date=November 20, 2022 | url=https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/11/20/fact-sheet-vice-president-harris-launches-new-initiatives-to-strengthen-u-s-philippines-alliance/ | access-date=April 13, 2023}}

Diplomatic missions

File:USManilaChancery.jpg]]

File:Embassy of the Philippines, Washington, D.C..jpg]]

The U.S. maintains an embassy in Manila and a consulate in Cebu. The American Business Center, which houses the Foreign Commercial Service and the Foreign Agricultural Service, is located in Makati. The Philippine government maintains an embassy in Washington, D.C. as well as several consulates throughout the United States.

Security

File:Balikatan 2019 - Marines participate in combined-arms live fire at CERAB (Image 2 of 5).jpg and Philippine Marine Corps troops train together during Balikatan 2019]]

File:Balikatan 2019 Combined Arms Live-Fire Exercise Image 9 of 9.jpg

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Kurt M. Campbell had said in January 2011 that the United States will help boost the capacity of the Philippines to patrol their own waters, including the Spratly Islands.[https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jgOJ_NsO2oNUIHP-TlhtifUk6Kvw?docId=CNG.7bfcfd891f40aa72354703f627bc22bc.2f1 "U.S. Pledges Help For Philippine Navy"]{{dead link|date=June 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} AFP, January 27, 2011.

The 1951 mutual-defense treaty was reaffirmed with the November 2011 Manila Declaration.{{cite web |url=http://manila.usembassy.gov/manila_declaration.html |title=Clinton on Manila Declaration |publisher=Embassy of the United States, Manila |access-date=June 9, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505212957/http://manila.usembassy.gov/manila_declaration.html |archive-date=May 5, 2016}}{{cite web |url=http://www.voanews.com/policy/editorials/asia/Clinton-On-Manila-Declaration-134826743.html |title=Clinton On Manila Declaration |website=Voice of America |date=November 30, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120414083047/http://www.voanews.com/policy/editorials/asia/Clinton-On-Manila-Declaration-134826743.html |archive-date=April 14, 2012}} United States Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Jonathan Greenert suggested that LCS or surveillance aircraft may be deployed to the Philippines;[https://web.archive.org/web/20120121222445/http://af.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idAFTRE7BF0GS20111216 "U.S. Navy may station ships in Singapore, Philippines."] Reuters, December 16, 2011. the Philippines is considering the proposal.[http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/245980/news/nation/phl-studying-us-offer-to-deploy-spy-planes-mdash-gazmin?ref=secitem "PHL studying US offer to deploy spy planes — Gazmin."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120318000039/http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/245980/news/nation/phl-studying-us-offer-to-deploy-spy-planes-mdash-gazmin?ref=secitem |date=March 18, 2012 }} GMA Network, January 27, 2012. These "rotational deployments" will help replace some of the American presence in the area that was given up when the permanent American bases in the Philippines were closed under President Bush.Weisgerber, Marcus. [https://archive.today/20130121100853/http://www.defensenews.com/article/20120531/DEFREG02/305310012/U-S-Will-Lean-Technology-Asia-Pacific-Pivot-Continues-Panetta?odyssey=nav head "U.S. Will Lean on Technology As Asia-Pacific Pivot Continues: Panetta."] Defense News, May 10, 2012.

In 2012 the Philippines and the United States conducted joint military exercises.{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/30/world/asia/philippines-role-may-grow-as-us-adjusts-asia-strategy.html | work=The New York Times | first=Floyd | last=Whaley | title=Philippines Role May Grow as U.S. Adjusts Asia Strategy | date=April 29, 2012 | access-date=February 28, 2017 | archive-date=October 25, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211025161103/https://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/30/world/asia/philippines-role-may-grow-as-us-adjusts-asia-strategy.html | url-status=live }} As of 2012, a U.S. military contingent of 600, including Navy Seals and Seabees are stationed "indefinitely" in the Southern Philippines, in a declared non-combatant role to assist the Armed Forces of the Philippines in operations against the al-Quaida-linked Abu Sayyaf terrorist group primarily on the island of Basilan in western Mindanao and the Sulu islands, in particular Jolo, a long-time stronghold of Abu Sayyaf.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Fc3rC5zWOHQC|title=Terrorism in Southeast Asia|first=Bruce|last=Vaughn|date=November 1, 2010|publisher=DIANE Publishing|via=Google Books|isbn=9781437925685|access-date=August 24, 2016|archive-date=August 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210815080332/https://books.google.com/books?id=Fc3rC5zWOHQC|url-status=live}}

The Scarborough Shoal standoff with China and the ongoing Spratly Islands dispute has caused the Philippines to consider stronger military ties with the United States. In 2012, a senior Philippine defense official said that as long as they have prior clearance from the Philippine government, American troops, warships, and aircraft could once again use their former naval and air facilities of Subic Bay Naval Base and Clark Air Base.[http://www.philstar.com/headlines/814109/us-troops-can-use-clark-subic-bases US troops can use Clark, Subic bases] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140111175925/http://www.philstar.com/headlines/814109/us-troops-can-use-clark-subic-bases |date=January 11, 2014 }}, Philippine Star, June 6, 2012. In 2013, Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario clarified that, due to constitutional constraints, establishment of a U.S. military facility could only be allowed if it would be under the control of the Philippine military.[http://globalnation.inquirer.net/72031/welcome-more-us-troops-del-rosario "Welcome more US troops–Del Rosario."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130415124613/http://globalnation.inquirer.net/72031/welcome-more-us-troops-del-rosario |date=April 15, 2013 }}, Philippine Daily Inquirer, April 14, 2013. The deal will reportedly include shared access to Philippines military but not civilian facilities.{{cite web |url=https://thediplomat.com/2014/03/us-philippines-reach-deal-on-greater-us-military-access/ |title=US-Philippines Reach Deal on US Military Access |last1=Keck |first1=Zachary |date=March 14, 2014 |website=thediplomat.com |publisher=The Diplomat |access-date=March 14, 2014 |archive-date=March 15, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140315074850/http://thediplomat.com/2014/03/us-philippines-reach-deal-on-greater-us-military-access/ |url-status=live }}

During a 2013 visit to the Philippines, Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said that the main security issues that the U.S. was working with the Philippines were maritime domain awareness, building up the capacities of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and counter terrorism.{{cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/news/2013/03/mil-130319-afps07.htm|title=Carter: U.S., Philippines Enjoy 'Longstanding' Alliance|first=John|last=Pike|access-date=March 20, 2013|archive-date=October 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211025161104/https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/news/2013/03/mil-130319-afps07.htm|url-status=live}}

In April 2014, a ten-year pact called the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA){{cite news|url=http://globalnation.inquirer.net/102028/defense-accord-with-us-a-security-cover-for-ph|title=Defense accord with US a 'security cover' for PH|last=Dizon|first=Nikko|date=April 13, 2014|newspaper=The Philippine Inquirer|access-date=April 30, 2014|archive-date=April 23, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140423152652/http://globalnation.inquirer.net/102028/defense-accord-with-us-a-security-cover-for-ph|url-status=live}} was signed between U.S. President Barack Obama and Philippine President Benigno Aquino III, allowing the United States to increase its military presence in the Philippines.{{cite web|url=http://uspolitics.einnews.com/pr_news/202201436/fact-sheet-united-states-philippines-bilateral-relations|title=FACT SHEET: United States-Philippines Bilateral Relations|publisher=Office of the Press Secretary|work=Press release – White House|date=April 28, 2014 |access-date=April 30, 2014|archive-date=May 2, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140502003308/http://uspolitics.einnews.com/pr_news/202201436/fact-sheet-united-states-philippines-bilateral-relations|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://www.thenational.ae/world/philippines/military-bases-at-centre-of-philippines-us-relationship|title=Military bases at centre of Philippines-US relationship|last=Lowe|first=Aya|date=April 27, 2014|newspaper=The National|access-date=April 30, 2014|archive-date=April 29, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140429210443/http://www.thenational.ae/world/philippines/military-bases-at-centre-of-philippines-us-relationship|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2014/04/us-philippines-how-strategic-pa-201442871034598657.html|title=US and Philippines: How strategic is the partnership?|last=Sison|first=Jose|date=April 28, 2014|newspaper=Al Jazeera|access-date=April 30, 2014|archive-date=April 30, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140430031826/http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2014/04/us-philippines-how-strategic-pa-201442871034598657.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/philippines/10791579/Philippines-to-sign-security-pact-with-US.html|title=Philippines to sign security pact with US|last=Freeman|first=Colin|date=April 27, 2014|newspaper=The Telegraph|access-date=April 30, 2014|archive-date=April 30, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140430072121/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/philippines/10791579/Philippines-to-sign-security-pact-with-US.html|url-status=live}} Five bases were opened to U.S. troops beginning in 2016.{{cite web |url=http://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2016/03/19/edca-bases-philippines-us.html |title=U.S., Philippines announce five military bases for EDCA |website=CNN Philippines |date=March 19, 2016 |access-date=March 21, 2016 |archive-date=March 22, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160322070210/http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2016/03/19/edca-bases-philippines-us.html |url-status=dead }}

In 2017, the Joint US Military Assistance Group (JUSMAG) handed over weapons to the Philippine Marine Corps, including 300 M4 carbines, 200 Glock 21 pistols, 4 M134D Gatling-style machine guns, and 100 M203 grenade launchers, according to a statement made by the U.S. embassy in Manila on June 5. The JUSMAG also delivered 25 new Combat Rubber Raiding Craft with outboard motors to PMC headquarters in Taguig, where PMC commandant Major General Emmanuel Salamat formally accepted delivery of the weapons during a transfer ceremony on June 5. The equipment was delivered amidst the Marawi crisis.{{Cite web|url=http://www.janes.com/article/71136/us-delivers-m4-carbines-m203-grenade-launchers-to-philippines-for-counter-terrorism-operations|title=US delivers M4 carbines, M203 grenade launchers to Philippines for counter-terrorism operations|website=Janes.com|access-date=June 6, 2017|archive-date=June 5, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170605174648/http://www.janes.com/article/71136/us-delivers-m4-carbines-m203-grenade-launchers-to-philippines-for-counter-terrorism-operations|url-status=live}}

In February 2019, then-U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo affirmed his country's commitments under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) during a meeting with counterparts in the Philippines. Pompeo in a speech added, "as the South China Sea is part of the Pacific, any armed attack on Philippine forces, aircraft or public vessels will trigger mutual defense obligations". The U.S. assured that they will "back the Philippines" if confrontation between the Philippines and China occurs in the South China Sea. The move came after years of American reluctance to affirm commitments, which led to numerous Filipino politicians to push for review of the 68-year-old security pact between the Philippines and the U.S. The Filipino foreign affairs secretary welcomed the U.S. commitment, adding that there is "no need to review" the pact anymore.{{Cite web | url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/03/02/1898020/us-vows-defend-philippines-scs-attack | title=US vows to defend Philippines in SCS attack | website=The Philippine STAR | access-date=March 3, 2019 | archive-date=March 2, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190302143631/https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/03/02/1898020/us-vows-defend-philippines-scs-attack | url-status=live }}{{Cite web | url=https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/224729-mike-pompeo-visit-philippines-gets-timely-assurance-from-oldest-ally | title=In Pompeo visit, Philippines gets timely assurance from oldest ally | date=March 2, 2019 | access-date=March 3, 2019 | archive-date=March 3, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190303114641/https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/224729-mike-pompeo-visit-philippines-gets-timely-assurance-from-oldest-ally | url-status=live }}{{Cite news|url = https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2019/03/02/asia-pacific/back-south-china-sea-u-s-assures-philippines/|title = We have your back in South China Sea, U.S. Assures Philippines|newspaper = The Japan Times Online|date = March 2, 2019|access-date = March 3, 2019|archive-date = March 3, 2019|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190303124349/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2019/03/02/asia-pacific/back-south-china-sea-u-s-assures-philippines/|url-status = live}}{{Cite web|url = https://www.nwaonline.com/news/2019/mar/02/u-s-tells-philippines-we-have-your-back/|title = U.S. Tells Philippines, 'We have your back'|date = March 2, 2019|access-date = March 3, 2019|archive-date = March 3, 2019|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190303153630/https://www.nwaonline.com/news/2019/mar/02/u-s-tells-philippines-we-have-your-back/|url-status = live}}

In 2023, the Biden administration, represented by Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, and the Marcos administration finalized an agreement to allow the American military access to four additional Philippine military bases under EDCA. However, the governors of Isabela and Cagayan—which together host three of the bases—expressed dismay at the agreement, stating they did not want their provinces to pay too much for the infrastructure improvements or become potential targets of Chinese nuclear attack.{{cite web | title=With an Eye on China, Philippines Moves Closer to U.S. Interests |last1=Wee|first1=Sui-Lee|last2=Elemia|first2=Camille|website=The New York Times | date=February 20, 2023 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/20/world/asia/philippines-china-us.html | access-date=April 15, 2023}}

This marked the fifth time that the Philippines and the U.S. had conducted joint military exercises in the South China Sea, with Manila's armed forces on alert due to tensions with China. On 17 ,18 January 2025, the Philippine military stated that the activity was a 'maritime cooperative activity' conducted with the U.S.{{cite news |title= Philippines, U.S. hold joint maritime exercises in South China Sea|date=19 January 2025 | work=Reuters |url= https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/philippines-us-hold-joint-maritime-exercises-south-china-sea-2025-01-19/|access-date= 19 January 2025}}

In February 2025, The Philippines and the United States have strengthened their defense partnership in the South China Sea. U.S. and Philippine fighter jets recently conducted joint patrols, highlighting their commitment to regional security.

Under the expanded Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), the U.S. gains greater access to Philippine bases and pledges increased military aid and maritime security cooperation. Both nations reaffirm their commitment to international law, with Philippine officials emphasizing U.S. support in safeguarding sovereignty.{{Cite web |date=2025-02-04 |title=US, Philippine fighter jets patrol disputed South China Sea shoal |url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/us-philippine-fighter-jets-patrol-220000326.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAFAaskJKzRcrMCo94zsYFyCkvkK8fmLUtKWYJp_Z0ikyTaKRNB-tpHfFxo7826-WJEqx_ovj2tg8I9hzeynRLex0z0wSbfONtBRN1rX_7paKLrpJ_Zur2hZyMouDRARO5LuVkifmOarqZaEJVJQhYxMngyrv_WDCao5oYx4JVOVd |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=Yahoo News |language=en-US}}

Notes

References

External links

{{StateDept|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2794.htm#relations}}

{{commons category|Relations of the Philippines and the United States}}{{Library resources box}}

{{cite book|author=Philippines|title=Treaty of General Relations and Protocol with the Republic of the Philippines: Message from the President of the United States Transmitting the Treaty of General Relations and Protocol Between the United States of America and the Republic of the Philippines, Signed at Manila on July 4, 1946|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fyDEHAAACAAJ|year=1946|publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office}}
[https://history.state.gov/countries/philippines History recognition, diplomatic and consular relations : Philippines], Office of the Historian, U.S. Department of State.

United States

Category:Bilateral relations of the United States

Category:Relations of colonizer and former colony