PH, US, Japan trilateral partnership likely to continue under Trump – Romualdez
Metro Manila, Philippines — The trilateral cooperation between the Philippines, United States, and Japan is expected to be sustained under a new leadership in Washington, said Philippine Ambassador to the US, Jose Manuel Romualdez.
In an interview with NewsWatch Plus, Romualdez said the upcoming teleconference among President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., US President Joe Biden, and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is a reaffirmation of the commitment to work together in security and the economy within the Indo-Pacific region.
"So since there’s going to be a change of administration here in Washington and a change already has occurred in Japan, parang gusto lang ituloy ng US, specifically the White House, and hopefully, and I think from all indications, mukhang itutuloy rin ng administration ni President Trump. So it’s basically just like a renewal," said Romualdez.
[Translation: So, since there will be a change of administration here in Washington and a change has already taken place in Japan, it seems that the US, specifically the White House, wants to continue this. Hopefully, and based on all indications, it looks like the Trump administration will continue it as well. So, it’s basically just a renewal.]
Romualdez said the phone call will also be an opportunity for Biden to bid farewell to the two leaders.
The ambassador expressed confidence that incoming President Donald Trump will continue to uphold the trilateral partnership.
"I don't see any reason why it should not because it is really for the benefit of both our countries, Japan and the US. I was fortunate na nakausap ko nang good conversation with President Trump but all indications are gusto niya ituloy ‘yung strong relationship between the US and the Philippines. So obviously, yung Japan is also an important part of our relationship in terms of mutual interest in the region at saka economic prosperity," said Romualdez.
[Translation: I don’t see any reason why it should not continue because it's really for the benefit of our countries, Japan and the US. I was fortunate to have had a good conversation with President Trump, and all indications are that he wants to continue the strong relationship between the US and the Philippines. Obviously, Japan is also an important part of this relationship in terms of mutual interests in the region and economic prosperity.]
Romualdez had met with Trump earlier this year in West Palm Beach, Florida.
"I told him that I was looking forward to working again with the Trump administration. Ang sinabi lang niya that we will definitely have a strong relationship dahil maganda ang relation niya to the Marcos family. Kilala niya si Mrs. Imelda Marcos at sinabi nga niya nakausap niya si President Marcos at he's looking forward to meeting him in person very soon," he added.
[Translation: I told him that I was looking forward to working again with the Trump administration. He just said that we will definitely have a strong relationship because of his good ties with the Marcos family. He knows Mrs. Imelda Marcos and mentioned that he spoke with President Marcos and is looking forward to meeting him in person very soon.]
