Coming off of four-way military drills in the South China Sea with Australia, leaders of the Philippines, Australia, and China will meet in Washington this week for a trilateral summit aimed at strengthening defense exchanges.
There could be an announcement of a significant strengthening of US defense relations with Japan, which is becoming more self-assured, as well as cooperative coast guard patrols with Manila in areas China disputes.
Aside from securing access to essential resources like rare metals and semiconductors, other items on the agenda include North Korea’s increasing hostility and President Joe Biden’s opposition to the Japanese takeover of US Steel.
The talks are intended to “advance a trilateral partnership built on deep historical ties of friendship, robust and growing economic relations… and a shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific,” according to the White House.
