PHL highlights bilateral trade, defense cooperation in US’ celebration of 250 years of independence

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday joined the US in marking its 250 years of independence, welcoming new American envoy to the Philippines Lee Lipton and highlighting bilateral trade and defense cooperation between the two countries in the celebration.

Speaking at an event celebrating 250th year of US independence, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim underscored the US’ role as among the Philippines’ leading trading partners, noting trade levels exceeding $27 billion annually on semiconductors, electronics, agriculture, and services.

“Economically, the relationship is not aspirational; it is active,” Mr. Herrera-Lim said in his speech. “Initiatives like the Luzon Economic Corridor (LEC) are turning that economic partnership into something the Filipino people can build careers and businesses on, not just statistics.”

The Palace in May said the LEC, a flagship project spanning infrastructure, logistics, energy and semiconductor-linked industries across Luzon, may generate a million jobs for Filipinos.

Mr. Herrera-Lim added that the Pax Silica initiative, a US coalition joined by the Philippines, will help the country secure minerals and technology supply.

Manila and Washington in 2026 are set to mark 80 years of bilateral ties which also coincides with the 75th year of the Mutual Defense Treaty.

He underscored the most expansive Balikatan Exercises (shoulder-to-shoulder) to date led by the Philippines and the US which saw the participation of 17,000 troops not from the two countries alone but with other nation participants such as Australia, Japan, Canada, France, and New Zealand.

“Its growing scale reflects not just the strength of our defense partnership, but the widening recognition of Balikatan’s value among like-minded partners across the Indo-Pacific and beyond,” Mr. Herrera-Lim said.

About 5 million Filipinos reside in the US, while there are 375,000 Americans in the Philippines, making them the ‘truest measure of relationship,’ said Mr. Herrera-Lim.
He also welcomed Mr. Lipton who arrived in Manila on Sunday.

“We look forward to working with you on the agenda you have already set out – strengthening security cooperation, advancing the Luzon Economic Corridor, and deepening fair and transparent trade — and to building, together, the next chapter of this alliance,” he said.

Mr. Lipton previously served as the Chief of Staff to the US Mission to the Organization of American States and led initiatives addressing security challenges.
“We have some really big plans to bring American business, jobs, investments, assistance, and so much more to the Filipino people,” Mr. Lipton said at the celebration in Taguig. — Kaela Patricia B. Gabriel