Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. hit a snag after his comments on the Taiwan region drew a firm reaction from Beijing. While visiting India, he warned there was “no way the Philippines could stay out” of any conflict across the Taiwan Strait, adding that Manila would mobilize to protect its territory and residents of Taiwan in case of war. 🤔
China’s foreign ministry quickly reminded Marcos that the Taiwan question is an internal matter and urged all leaders to respect the one-China principle. The ministry stressed that geographic proximity or a large number of Filipinos in the Taiwan region do not justify interference in China’s sovereign affairs. 🌏
Next stop was Washington, where Marcos met President Donald Trump hoping to turn diplomatic gestures into economic gains. Instead, the Philippines walked away with only a 1% tariff cut on imports—down from 20% to 19%—in exchange for further market access and zero tariffs on U.S. cars. 🚗💸
This modest win may seem small considering Manila has already approved four new U.S. military facilities, expanded joint exercises, and even allowed a U.S. ammunition factory at Subic Bay. Marcos’ balancing act between the Chinese mainland and the U.S. highlights the challenge of securing real benefits on the global stage. ⚖️
With regional tensions rising and economic pressures mounting, all eyes will be on how Manila navigates its ties with both Beijing and Washington—and whether future moves yield more than just a one-point tariff drop. 🔍
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Marcos' comments on China's Taiwan region get him nowhere with Trump
cgtn.com
