US, Japanese and Philippine leaders have discussed China’s behavior in the South China Sea, the White House says Reuters
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – US President Joe Biden met virtually with his counterparts from Japan and the Philippines on Sunday to improve cooperation between the three countries, the White House said.
The three leaders discussed trilateral maritime security and economic cooperation, and China’s “dangerous and illegal behavior in the South China Sea,” the statement said.
“The three leaders agreed on the importance of continued coordination for the advancement of a free and open Indo-Pacific.”
Biden spoke late Sunday with Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., a week before Biden leaves office to hand over power to President-elect Donald Trump on Jan. 20.
Manila said the three countries, which met at a trilateral summit in Washington in April, agreed to further strengthen their ties in the face of rising tensions in regional waters.
The South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion in annual shipping trade, has been plagued by rising tensions for years. China claims almost the entire South China Sea despite a 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration that found Beijing’s sweeping claims to have no legal basis.
The US increased its security engagements with the Philippines under Marcos, providing expanded access to Philippine bases.
The White House statement did not mention any discussion of Nippon Steel’s planned acquisition of US Steel, which Biden blocked on Jan. 3 citing national security concerns.
Japan’s foreign ministry said Ishiba asked Biden to ease concerns among the Japanese and American business community about the decision, noting that cooperation among allies and like-minded countries is essential to establishing resilient supply chains.
The White House did not comment on the reported discussion.
