Description: Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba met with Philippine’s President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Manila where they discussed closer defensive cooperation between the countries and the impact of Trump’s tariffs. Ishiba and Marcos both stated that Japan and the Philippines would substantially intensify cooperation to counter the growing Chinese aggression in the surrounding disputed waters, which China claims in their entirety. The meeting also emphasized the impact of the US tariffs and the possibility for both countries to reinforce bilateral trade ties to boost their national economies. The defense pacts would mostly cover closer logistical cooperation between the navies of the two countries as well as closer intelligence sharing mostly regarding regional threats from China.
Impact: The geopolitical landscape in Asia continues to diversify itself while bilateral and multilateral ties are reshaping regional power dynamics. Ishiba prior to visiting the Philippines also visited Vietnam where similar strategic discussions were held, which indicated that Japan despite having the US as their closest ally in the region, are readapting their foreign policies in the midst of the US upending of centuries long alliances. Japan and the Philippines both facing constant Chinese aggression, especially in the disputed waters in the South China Sea, would aim at bilaterally enhancing cooperation in order to counter Chinese influence and aggression. The US tariffs represent a strategic obstacle with allied countries in the Indo – Pacific, a region which the Trump administration has repeatedly prioritized as a strategic imperative in recent months.