'US, Japan, Phl ties being taken to new heights'

Trilateral relations among the Philippines, Japan, and the United States are entering a “new era” with the three longtime allies working in earnest to ensure their "shared vision" of a peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific region, a White House official said on Wednesday.

- HELEN FLORES

Mira Rapp-Hooper, senior director for East Asia and Oceania at the White House, said the trilateral meeting among US President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and President Marcos in Washington on April 11 (US time) seeks to bring the alliance and cooperation of the three countries to new heights.

"Our three countries will embark on this new era of trilateral cooperation as equal partners, guided by a shared vision and unwavering commitment to a free, open, peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific," Rapp-Hooper said at a media briefing.

"The events of this week clearly illustrate the President's continued commitment to strengthening our key alliances and partnerships, innovating around shared challenges and exploring new areas of cooperation," she said.