Manila: The Philippine government has signaled its 'strong intent' for a strategic economic alignment with the United States amid global challenges during the visit of a bipartisan US Congressional Delegation to Manila. In a meeting with US Senator Pete Ricketts (R-Nebraska), Senator Chris Coons (D-Delaware), and Senator Ted Budd (R-North Carolina) on Tuesday, Trade Secretary Cristina Roque expressed Manila's openness to forge 'deeper engagement' with the US as a 'strategic economic partner' in an increasingly complex global environment.
According to Philippines News Agency, the meeting was more than a diplomatic courtesy; it served as a strong signal of intent that the Philippines is ready to pursue strategic alignment with the United States as a pathway to greater economic security, innovation-led development, and mutual prosperity. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) emphasized this in a statement dated April 16. Key figures in the Philippine administration, including Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon, Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla, Information and Communications Technology Secretary Henry Rhoel Aguda, and Finance Secretary Ralph Recto, were also present during this significant visit, marking the first under the new Trump administration.
Roque highlighted Manila's keen interest in bolstering cooperation with the US in critical sectors such as clean energy, digital infrastructure, transport modernization, and fiscal sustainability. In 2024, the US imported USD14.2 billion from the Philippines, marking a 6.9 percent increase from the previous year, while exports to the Philippines during the same period reached USD9.3 billion. The DTI reported that the US accounted for 17 percent of Philippine exports in 2024.
The Philippines' key exports to the US include semiconductor devices and computer peripherals, automobile parts, electric machinery, textiles and garments, wheat and animal feeds, coconut oil, and information technology/business process outsourcing services. Conversely, the US exports agricultural goods, machinery, cereals, raw and semi-processed materials for the manufacture of semiconductors, electronics, and transport equipment to the Philippines.
Additionally, the landmark 123 Agreement, or the US-Philippines Agreement for Cooperation in Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy, signed in 2023, entered into force last year. This agreement allows the transfer of information, nuclear material, equipment, and components directly between the two states, further enhancing cooperation between the two countries.
