Philippines’ US security blanket muffling hopes of strategic autonomy

Since coming to power earlier this year, US President Donald Trump has broadly signalled a historic departure from America’s traditional role in global affairs. Not only has the US decoupled from global institutions such as the World Health Organization, it has disrupted international trade by adopting an aggressively protectionist stance through the imposition of massive tariffs on foes and friends alike.

The same unorthodox approach has also characterised the second Trump administration’s approach to its overseas military commitments. From scaling back much-needed defence aid to Ukraine to berating European allies on defence spending, the second Trump administration has ushered in a new era of American foreign policy. When it comes to Asia, however, the US has shown remarkable policy continuity.

This is most notable in the case of the Philippines, which has become a critical ally amid Washington’s deepening rivalry with China. Far from abandoning Manila, the Trump administration and its legislative allies are doubling down on defence aid to, and military cooperation with, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr’s administration.