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The Philippines
AsiaSoutheast Asia

Donald Trump says Philippines scrapping military pact will save US ‘a lot of money’

  • Duterte’s move to end Visiting Forces Agreement could complicate US military interests in broader Asia-Pacific region as China’s ambitions rise
  • The deal is important to the overall US-Philippines alliance and sets out rules for US soldiers operating in the Philippines

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Two Osprey aircraft are seen during US-Philippines war games in Zambales province in the Philippines in April 2019. Photo: Reuters
Reuters
US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he did not mind Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to end a decades-old military agreement with the United States, a position at odds with that of his defence secretary, who viewed the move with dismay.
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Duterte on Tuesday announced termination of the two-decade-old Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA). US Defence Secretary Mark Esper called the decision “unfortunate” as Washington and its allies press China to abide by “international rules” in Asia.

The US embassy in Manila called it “a serious step with significant implications”. Duterte’s decision, sparked by the revocation of a US visa held by a former police chief who led Duterte’s bloody war on drugs, takes legal effect in 180 days, and US officials have expressed hope it can be reversed or delayed.

“I don’t really mind if they would like to do that, it will save a lot of money,” Trump told reporters at the White House when asked about Duterte’s move and whether anything could be done to get him to reconsider. “My views are different from others.”

US Marines at a temporary camp for a Philippines-US military exercise at Crow Valley in Capas, Tarlac province, in October 2016. Photo: AFP
US Marines at a temporary camp for a Philippines-US military exercise at Crow Valley in Capas, Tarlac province, in October 2016. Photo: AFP
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Trump has frequently expressed a desire to bring US military forces home from decades-long deployments abroad and has strong-armed some allies into paying more for the right to US defence.

Trump said the United States had helped the Philippines defeat Islamic State militants. He said he had “a very good” relationship with Duterte and added “we’ll see what happens”.

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