WASHINGTON: US President Joe Biden on Sunday met virtually with his counterparts from Japan and the Philippines to advance cooperation among the three countries, the White House said.
The three leaders discussed trilateral maritime security and economic cooperation, and China’s “dangerous and unlawful behavior in the South China Sea,” it said in a statement.
“The three leaders agreed on the importance of continued coordination to advance a free and open Indo-Pacific.”
Biden spoke with Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. late on Sunday, a week before Biden leaves office and hands power to President-elect Donald Trump on Jan. 20.
Manila said the three countries, which met for a trilateral summit in Washington in April, agreed to further strengthen their ties in the face of growing tensions in regional waters.
The South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual ship-borne commerce, has been plagued by rising tensions for years. China claims almost the entire South China Sea despite a 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration found Beijing’s sweeping claims had no legal basis.
The US has increased its security engagements with the Philippines under Marcos, securing expanded access to Philippine bases.
The White House statement made no mention of any discussion about Nippon Steel’s planned acquisition of US Steel, which Biden blocked on Jan. 3 citing national security concerns.
Japan’s foreign ministry said Ishiba asked Biden to allay concerns in the Japanese and US business communities over the decision, noting that cooperation among allies and like-minded countries was indispensable for establishing resilient supply chains.
The White House had no immediate comment on the reported discussion.
![]()
US, Japanese, Philippine leaders discussed China’s behavior in South China Sea, White House says
Short Url
https://arab.news/rshkc
US, Japanese, Philippine leaders discussed China’s behavior in South China Sea, White House says
- The three leaders discussed trilateral maritime security and economic cooperation
- Manila said the three countries agreed to further strengthen their ties
Gunmen in military-style uniforms kill seven in Ecuador
QUITO: Gunmen dressed in military-style uniforms killed seven people Monday in western Ecuador, police said, as the country continues to grapple with drug violence.
Attacks by individuals dressed as soldiers are frequent in the South American nation, where drug trafficking gangs with connections to international cartels are fighting over turf.
Monday’s massacre occurred at a ranch in Manabi, which has been under a state of emergency — along with eight other provinces — since January.
President Daniel Noboa has deployed the military in anti-drug campaigns but homicides have only increased, ticking up to a record 9,216 violent deaths last year.
Monday’s attack occurred in the early morning and “left seven people dead from gunshot wounds,” police said.
Before killing them, the attackers took the victims to a courtyard, interrogated them, and then opened fire with rifles and handguns.
Among the dead was a 16-year-old boy.
Ecuador has gone from being one of South America’s safest countries to a major cocaine trafficking hub in the space of a few years, plagued by gangs with ties to Mexican and Colombian cartels.
Its strategic location on the Pacific Ocean has made it a gateway for Colombian and Peruvian cocaine destined for the United States and Europe.
Attacks by individuals dressed as soldiers are frequent in the South American nation, where drug trafficking gangs with connections to international cartels are fighting over turf.
Monday’s massacre occurred at a ranch in Manabi, which has been under a state of emergency — along with eight other provinces — since January.
President Daniel Noboa has deployed the military in anti-drug campaigns but homicides have only increased, ticking up to a record 9,216 violent deaths last year.
Monday’s attack occurred in the early morning and “left seven people dead from gunshot wounds,” police said.
Before killing them, the attackers took the victims to a courtyard, interrogated them, and then opened fire with rifles and handguns.
Among the dead was a 16-year-old boy.
Ecuador has gone from being one of South America’s safest countries to a major cocaine trafficking hub in the space of a few years, plagued by gangs with ties to Mexican and Colombian cartels.
Its strategic location on the Pacific Ocean has made it a gateway for Colombian and Peruvian cocaine destined for the United States and Europe.
Latest updates
© 2026 SAUDI RESEARCH & PUBLISHING COMPANY, All Rights Reserved And subject to Terms of Use Agreement.