Biden to hold meetings with leaders of Philippines and Japan amid increasing concerns over China’s actions in the Indo-Pacific region

President Joe Biden is set to host a historic trilateral summit at the White House on Thursday, bringing together Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. The leaders will focus on countering China’s military assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region, with plans to announce joint coast guard patrols in the area.

The summit follows a one-on-one meeting between Biden and Kishida, where the Japanese Prime Minister was honored with a state dinner. The gathering aims to strengthen alliances in the Indo-Pacific amidst global conflicts in Israel, Ukraine, and tensions with China.

The economic aspect of the summit will also be significant, with major U.S. companies announcing investments in the Philippines. This comes after Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo’s visit to Manila last month, where over $1 billion in new investments by American companies were announced.

The trilateral agreement between the U.S., the U.K., and Japan for joint military exercises in the Indo-Pacific in 2025 is another key development. The partnership aims to equip Australia with submarines and maintain peace and security in the region.

The summit will address growing concerns about China’s actions in the Pacific, including skirmishes with the Philippines and Japan in disputed territories. Biden’s efforts to improve relations with the Philippines since Marcos took office in 2022 have been a priority, with the country increasingly aligning with the U.S. amid China’s coercive actions.

The trilateral summit underscores the importance of cooperation and unity in the face of China’s assertiveness, sending a clear message that the U.S., Japan, and the Philippines are committed to peace, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.