By Claire Morales True and Jennifer T. Santos

WASHINGTON DC/MANILA – Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo and Secretary of National Defense Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr., will host United States Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III in Manila on July 30 for the 4th Philippines-U.S. Foreign and Defense Ministerial Dialogue (“2+2 Dialogue”).

Before embarking on his Asian trip, Blinken conveyed his sympathies to the Philippines after the devastation caused by Typhoon Carina and the enhanced southwest monsoon, which killed 14 people and injured two.

In a call with Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo, Blinken reiterated that the US “stands ready to provide assistance.”

“Secretary Blinken further shared condolences for those in the Philippines who have died or been displaced as a result of Typhoon Gaemi and recent monsoon-related flooding. The Secretary noted that the United States stands ready to provide assistance,” the US State Department said in a readout.

The Philippines-U.S. Alliance has contributed to the maintenance of peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region for over 70 years. 

During this year’s 2+2 Dialogue, the four Secretaries are expected to discuss how to further enhance our two countries’ ironclad commitment to this alliance while enabling a common program in support of the rules-based international order, enhanced economic ties, broad-based prosperity, and solutions to evolving regional and global security challenges.

The third iteration of the 2+2 dialogue was held in April 2023 in Washington, D.C. and concluded in a joint statement that reaffirmed full support for international law, modernizing shared defense capabilities of the alliance, advancing economic and environmental security, and cultivating the vibrant and robust people-to-people ties between the two countries.

Secretary Blinken and Austin are also scheduled to pay a courtesy call on President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. during their visit to Manila.

This will be the 4th iteration of the Philippine-US ministerial dialogue, following the meeting held in Washington DC last April 2023.

In the last 2+2 meeting, the two states issued a joint statement that reaffirmed full support for international law, modernizing shared defense capabilities of the alliance, advancing economic and environmental security, and cultivating vibrant and robust people-to-people ties between the two countries.

The US has reiterated its “ironclad commitment” to the alliance on numerous occasions in the face of Beijing’s actions in the West Philippine Sea.

During his visit to Manila on March 19, Blinken said the US would continue to bolster its maritime, defense, as well as economic cooperation with Manila.

He said Washington DC’s foreign policy is to reinvigorate existing partnerships in the region and “build nuance that are fit” for the needs of its partner country. 

In a statement in Washington, the State Department said Blinken will travel to Vietnam, Laos, Japan, the Philippines, Singapore, and Mongolia July 24 – August 3, 2024, his 18th trip to the Indo-Pacific region since becoming Secretary.

Secretary Blinken will reaffirm the importance of the work the United States does with our allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific to advancing security and prosperity and facilitating a shared vision for a free and open region. The Secretary will further underscore the United States’ enduring commitment to deepening and expanding ties to unprecedented levels and creating mutually reinforcing relationships to tackle today’s greatest challenges.

In Vietnam, Secretary Blinken will attend the funeral of General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng and offer condolences to the people of Vietnam.  He will further underscore the strength of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with his government counterparts in Hanoi.

In Laos, Secretary Blinken will participate in the annual ASEAN-U.S. Post Ministerial Conference, 14th East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, and the 31st ASEAN Regional Forum Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.  During each ministerial, the Secretary will emphasize the United States’ commitment to ASEAN centrality and support for the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, which shares fundamental principles with the U.S. Indo-Pacific Strategy.  The Secretary will discuss economic cooperation, the global fight against climate change, the ongoing crisis in Burma, the importance of adherence to international law in the South China Sea, and Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine.  In addition, Secretary Blinken will engage with senior Lao PDR officials to reaffirm the United States’ support for Lao PDR’s ASEAN Chair Year and its theme of “Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience,” and to further strengthen the U.S.-Laos Comprehensive Partnership.  Secretary Blinken and Lao PDR Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith will also co-chair the Third Mekong-U.S. Partnership Foreign Ministers’ Meeting to reaffirm U.S. commitment to cooperation for the equitable, sustainable, and inclusive development of the Mekong sub-region.

In Japan, Secretary Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III will meet with Japanese Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko and Japanese Defense Minister Kihara Minoru for a Foreign and Defense Ministerial (2+2) Dialogue.  The officials will reaffirm the importance of the U.S.-Japan alliance in addressing a range of bilateral, regional, and global issues and continue to build on the momentum of U.S.-Japan-ROK and U.S.-Japan-Philippines trilateral cooperation. Secretary Blinken and Secretary Austin will also hold an Extended Deterrence Ministerial Meeting with Foreign Minister Kamikawa and Defense Minister Kihara, during which the officials will discuss bilateral cooperation to further strengthen U.S. extended deterrence bolstered by Japan’s defense capabilities.  Secretary Blinken will also join his Australian, Indian, and Japanese counterparts for a Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Tokyo. The officials will reaffirm our collective commitment to regional prosperity and stability and discuss how our four nations can continue to deliver concrete benefits for the Indo-Pacific region, Including through lifesaving humanitarian initiatives, high-standard investments, educational and professional exchanges, and more.

In the Philippines, Secretary Blinken and Secretary of Defense Austin will meet with Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo and Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro for a 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue – the first U.S.-Philippines 2+2 to be held in Manila.  The officials will reaffirm our nations’ shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific region and support for international law.  They will discuss ways to deepen coordination on shared challenges, including in the South China Sea, and advance our bilateral economic agenda.  Secretaries Blinken and Austin will also meet with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., to explore additional ways to capitalize on the unprecedented momentum in the United States-Philippines alliance.

In Singapore, Secretary Blinken will meet Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong, and Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan to review the growth of our bilateral cooperation with this pivotal regional partner on shared security, economic, climate, and technology objectives.  The Secretary will co-chair the second round of the U.S.-Singapore Critical and Emerging Technology Dialogue, where the two sides will advance initiatives to strengthen ties between our innovation ecosystems and reduce barriers to collaboration while protecting national security.  The growing bilateral discussion regarding critical and emerging technologies further underscores the importance of the U.S.-Singapore strategic partnership in facilitating a free, open, connected prosperous, secure and resilient Indo-Pacific region.

In Mongolia, Secretary Blinken will meet with senior Mongolian officials to reaffirm the importance of the U.S.-Mongolia Strategic Partnership.  The officials will discuss how the United States and Mongolia can continue to strengthen democratic institutions, uphold fundamental freedoms, enhance security and national sovereignty, and expand our economic and people-to-people ties.  The Secretary will further underscore the United States’ commitment to Mongolia as its “Third Neighbor.”

Secretary Blinken’s engagements in each country will demonstrate the United States’ unwavering commitment to our Indo-Pacific allies and partners.