Duval Times

Sovereign nations in the Indo-Pacific region have been facing increased threats from the Chinese Communist Party as it continues its expansive military strategies. One such nation is the Philippines—a U.S. treaty ally. The U.S. must firmly stand with Manila to deter Beijing’s aggression.

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) introduced the U.S.-Philippines Partnership Act of 2024 to diplomatically, economically, and militarily support the Philippines as it resists Chinese efforts to seize Philippine territory in the South China Sea.

“Communist China’s aggressive military strategy in the Indo-Pacific region is a threat we cannot turn a blind eye to. It’s crucial for the U.S. to demonstrate tangible support for our allies and partners in the region who are confronting the aggression of the Chinese Communist Party,” stated Senator Rubio.

Specifically, this bill would:

- Direct State to negotiate a critical minerals agreement with the Philippines;

- Amend the BUILD Act to explicitly support investments in critical minerals and energy products in Southeast Asia;

- Require an interagency plan on U.S. support for infrastructure development in the Philippines;

- Define China’s greyzone tactics as “Illegal, Coercive, Aggressive Tactics;”

- Direct State to support multilateral engagement between the U.S., the Philippines, Korea, and Japan;

- Codify a Bilateral Strategic Dialogue with the Philippines;

- Support increased domain awareness for the Philippines through Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) programs; and

- Support efforts to harden the position of the Sierra Madre.

For more information: August 2023: ICYMI: Rubio Explains Why the Philippines Matters to America