Press Briefing of John Kirby, Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the NSC in the White House

Press Briefing of John Kirby, Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the National Security Council in the White House
Washington, D.C., U.S.A.
April 10, 2024
John Kirby, Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the National Security Council in the White House, holds a press briefing for the Philippine media delegation at the Embassy of the Philippines in Washington, D.C., United States of America on April 10, 2024.
In his opening statement, John Kirby cites that U.S. President Joseph Biden will welcome President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to the White House for their second bilateral meeting in as many years. The two Presidents will mark the unprecedented strength of the alliance between the United States and the Philippines, and underscore the historic achievements in bilateral relations since they last met in May 2023.
“They will discuss initiatives to enhance economic and energy security, to bolster maritime cooperation, to invest in critical infrastructure and of course, to deepen people-to-people ties. President Biden will reinforce the ironclad U.S. alliance commitments to the Philippines,” Kirby states.
Both leaders will also discuss their shared commitment to democratic values, including respect for human rights and for internationally recognized labor rights.
Following their bilateral meeting, the U.S. President will host the historic Trilateral Leaders’ Summit. “As leading maritime democracies, the United States, the Philippines and Japan share a joint vision for the future of the Indo-Pacific. And with this leader-level trilateral, we’re gonna be taking our cooperation to new heights, adding to our fit-for-purpose network of alliances and partnerships across the Indo-Pacific,” he adds.
The three countries’ national security advisers met in Tokyo to initiate the trilateral cooperation, as well as government officials have met on topics as varied as economic security and maritime cooperation.
“For example, Secretary Raimondo will host her economic minister counterparts Thursday morning for a discussion on enhancing trilateral trade and investment. Our foreign ministers and vice foreign ministers have also met. The deliverables and the substance of all these engagements and this inaugural Leaders’ Summit builds on the momentum set forth,” Kirby says.
The three leaders will announce new initiatives to accelerate and surge high quality infrastructure investment in the Philippines, to enhance energy security, to deepen maritime cooperation and to strengthen partnerships on technology and on cybersecurity.
“Our three countries embark on this new era of trilateral cooperation as trusted, equal partners, guided by shared values and an unwavering commitment to a free, open, peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific…This week will clearly illustrate President Biden’s continued commitment to strengthening our key alliances and partnerships in the Indo-Pacific, innovating around shared challenges and exploring new areas of cooperation,” Kirby concludes in his statement.
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