Bilateral ties hinge on US poll results - ex-envoy to US

Metro Manila, Philippines — A Kamala Harris presidency will benefit bilateral ties with the Philippines in contrast to that of former President Donald Trump, said former Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Cuisia Jr., as Americans troop to polling stations in a closely contested Nov. 5 election.

In an interview with NewsWatch Plus, Cuisia said continuity of the Biden administration's policies would benefit the Philippines in terms of the economy, foreign policy, and military alliance.

“If Harris were to win the elections, I think it will provide stability and continuity of economic policies, which I think will be beneficial to the Philippines,” said Cuisia.

“Even militarily they have been providing assistance for the modernization of our armed forces. We are one of the seven countries identified as a source of semiconductor imports for the US, which of course will benefit our semiconductor industry,” he added.

Cuisia said he sees a different scenario if Trump were to return to the White House.

“It may be detrimental to the Philippines because, as you know, he favors more bilateralism rather than multilateralism. He was the one who pulled the US out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership. He also has promised to impose universal tariffs of 10 to 20 percent on Philippine exports,” said Cuisia.

A Trump presidency could also pose challenges for the Philippines in terms of military cooperation and defense partnerships.

“I think it will be detrimental to the Philippines, not only in terms of the economic policies, but even militarily, because as you know, he has proposed that Japan and South Korea shoulder a bigger percentage of the defense cost, which means that he may also do the same for other countries like the Philippines. So that's why I say that a win by Trump may be detrimental to the Philippines,” said Cuisia.

He said the Marcos administration should continue to strengthen the PH-US alliance regardless of who wins.

“Whether it’s Kamala Harris or Donald Trump winning the presidency, the Philippines will continue to push for a strong alliance with the US because the US is our only treaty ally. Second, we have the same shared values, particularly in terms of promoting the international order and the rule of law,” said Cuisia.

Last month, a visiting US congressional delegation expressed confidence that strong bilateral ties would persist beyond the November election outcome in the North American country.

The delegation, comprising Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Sen. Joe Manchin (Ind-West Virginia), Rep. Wiley Nickel (D-North Carolina), and Rep. Greg Pence (R-Idaho), brother of former US Vice President Mike Pence, visited Manila to strengthen the partnership.

“We want to ensure the Philippines remains a central focus as you are on the frontlines,” said Manchin during a media briefing.

Asked about the potential impact of either a Harris or Trump presidency on bilateral ties, the lawmakers emphasized that US institutions, including Congress and the Judiciary, provide checks and balances to ensure policy continuity.

“We aim to ensure these relationships continue, regardless of who’s in office, both here and in the US,” said Murkowski.

Pence highlighted Congress’s support for the Philippines, especially regarding its stance towards China.

“When there’s bipartisan backing, relationships like this last, regardless of who’s president,” he said.