Rubio said the United States remained committed to the Philippines in calling out China’s ‘dangerous’ moves, according to Reuters.

(Reuters) – New U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed China’s “dangerous and destabilizing actions in the South China Sea” with his Philippine counterpart on Wednesday, underscoring to Manila America’s “iron-clad” defense commitment.

In a call with Secretary of State Enrique Manalo, the US State Department said, “China’s behavior is detrimental to regional peace and stability and is inconsistent with international law.”

The Philippines has been embroiled in a maritime dispute with China over the past two years, and the two countries regularly clash over disputed features in the South China Sea, which falls within Manila’s exclusive economic zone.

Rubio’s call followed his meeting with his counterparts from Australia, India and Japan at the China-focused “Quad” forum on Tuesday, the day after President Donald Trump returned to the White House. All four again vowed to work together.

Quad members and the Philippines are concerned about China’s growing power, and analysts say Tuesday’s meeting is designed to signal the continuity of the Indo-Pacific and that defying Beijing is a priority for Trump.

In his call with Manalo, Rubio “reiterated the ironclad commitment of the United States to the Philippines under the Mutual Defense Treaty and advised on ways to increase security cooperation, expand economic ties and strengthen regional cooperation,” the statement said.

Shortly before Trump’s inauguration, the Philippines and the United States held their fifth joint maritime exercise in the South China Sea since the start of the joint exercise in 2023.

Security ties between Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s security forces have drawn closer to Washington and allowed the expansion of military bases within the reach of US forces, including the Chinese-claimed but democratically-ruled island of Taiwan.

Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, who visited the Philippines last week, said the tripartite initiative launched by Japan, the US and the Philippines last year to boost cooperation will continue when the new US administration takes over in Washington.