Marcos, Biden look forward to 'trilateral modes of cooperation' with other countries

WASHINGTON - President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and United States President Joe Biden are hoping to create "trilateral modes of cooperation" with other countries.

On Monday Washington time (Tuesday, PH time), Marcos and Biden met at the White House wherein they tackled defense and security, trade and investments, and economy, among others.

Marcos and Biden also expressed their support towards the ASEAN centrality as well as its outlook for the Indo-Pacific region.

"The leaders welcome cooperation with partners that share the United States’ and the Philippines’ commitment to international law and mutual respect, and in that spirit, they reaffirm their strong support for ASEAN centrality and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific," the joint statement of the two leaders stated.

"They look forward to establishing trilateral modes of cooperation among the Philippines, Japan, and the United States, as well as the Philippines, Australia, and the United States," the joint statement read.

Furthermore, Marcos and Biden welcomed the Quad’s commitment "to support a peaceful and stable, rules-based region with ASEAN at the center, through its efforts to advance a free and open Indo-Pacific."

The Quad, or the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, is a group of four countries including the US, Australia, India, and Japan.

The heads of state also lauded the progress in developing the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, which aims to deliver concrete benefits to workers, families, and businesses by promoting trade, supply chain resilience, clean economy development, and anti-corruption throughout the region. —KG, GMA Integrated News