The trip will follow the US midterm elections, as Washington seeks to strengthen its engagement with the Indo-Pacific, boost ties with ASEAN, and manage strategic competition with China.
The Philippines is an important US partner in Southeast Asia. The US has stepped up defense cooperation, gained greater access to military bases, and ramped up security ties with the Philippines.
President Trump and President Xi Jinping of China will meet on the sidelines of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Shenzhen. They’re expected to discuss trade, tariffs, technology, AI, export controls, supply chains, and ways to maintain stable ties.
