US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, Philippine Secretary of Trade and Industry Alfredo Pascual, and Philippine economic affairs minister Frederick Go pose for pictures after a press conference in Paranaque, Metro Manila, Philippines, on Monday, March 11, 2024. - Reuters
MANILA, (Reuters): United States Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said on Monday her country's alliance with the Philippines is "iron clad" and that US companies were eager to do business with the South-East Asian nation.
Meanwhile, US companies are set to announce investments amounting to more than US$1 billion dollars in the Philippines, Raimondo said during an official visit to Manila on Monday.
The new investments would be announced including in areas like solar energy and electric vehicles, she said during an official visit.
The investments would be in areas like solar energy, electric vehicles and digitisation, she said, adding that US companies were eager to do business in the Southeast Asian country.
Raimondo is in Manila for a two-day trade and investment mission on behalf of President Joe Biden. Her delegation includes top officials from companies like GreenFire Energy, Inc., Google Asia Pacific, Visa, United Airlines and KKR.
The White House in January said a trade mission would be sent to boost U.S. companies' contribution to key Philippine sectors including infrastructure, clean energy, critical minerals, agriculture and the innovation economy.
The Philippines and the United States are longstanding allies bounded by a 73-year old mutual defence treaty. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has sought to deepen relations beyond defence cooperation to include economic partnerships.
"The U.S.-Philippine alliance is iron clad," Raimondo said at a joint briefing with Philippine officials. "It is sustained over 72 years, and we remain steadfast friends and increasingly, partners in prosperity." - Reuters
