U.S.-Philippine relations are based on strong historical and cultural links and a shared commitment to democracy and human rights. The U.S. has designated the Philippines as a Major Non-NATO Ally, and there are close and abiding security ties between the two nations. The Manila Declaration signed in 2011 reaffirmed the 1951 U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty as the foundation for a
U.S.-Philippine relations are based on strong historical and cultural links and a shared commitment to democracy and human rights. The U.S. has designated the Philippines as a Major Non-NATO Ally, and there are close and abiding security ties between the two nations. The Manila Declaration signed in 2011 reaffirmed the 1951 U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty as the foundation for a robust, balanced, and responsive security partnership. The U.S.-Philippine Bilateral Strategic Dialogue advances discussion and cooperation on bilateral, regional, and global issues. There is also a focus on economic, commercial, and people-to-people ties. There are an estimated four million U.S. citizens of Philippine ancestry in the U.S., and more than 220,000 U.S. citizens in the Philippines, including a large presence of U.S. veterans. An estimated 650,000 U.S. citizens visit the Philippines each year. Many people-to-people programs exist between the U.S. and the Philippines, including Fulbright, International Visitor Leadership Program, and the Kenney-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study program.
The U.S. government’s goal in the Philippines is to partner with the country to become a stable and prosperous nation. The 2011 Partnership for Growth Statement of Principles reinforced a shared interest in promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth in the Philippines. U.S. assistance to the Philippines fosters broad-based economic growth; improves the health and education of Filipinos; promotes peace
The U.S. government’s goal in the Philippines is to partner with the country to become a stable and prosperous nation. The 2011 Partnership for Growth Statement of Principles reinforced a shared interest in promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth in the Philippines. U.S. assistance to the Philippines fosters broad-based economic growth; improves the health and education of Filipinos; promotes peace and security; advances democratic values, good governance, and human rights; and strengthens regional and global partnerships. Department of State, Department of Defense, and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) programs in conflict-affected areas of Mindanao aim to strengthen the foundation for peace and stability in the area. U.S. assistance, including from the Millennium Challenge Corporation, seeks to intensify cooperation through a whole-of-government approach, using a wide range of assistance and other foreign policy tools. The U.S. has had a Peace Corps program in the Philippines for over 50 years.
The U.S. and the Philippines have a strong trade and investment relationship, with over $27 billion in goods and services traded (2016). The U.S. is one of the largest foreign investors in the Philippines, and is the Philippines’ third-largest trading partner.
Integrated Country Strategies
The Integrated Country Strategy is the four-year strategy articulating U.S. priorities in a given country. The Chief of Mission leads the strategy.
The Investment Climate Statements analyze a variety of economies that are or could be markets for U.S. businesses and provide information on the business climates.
Since July, 2021 the United States has donated 33,606,730 safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine doses with the people of the Philippines. This includes 27,197,820 Pfizer, 3,000,060 Moderna, and 3,408,850 J&J doses. Of the 33,606,730 vaccine doses, 100% were donated in partnership with COVAX.
The United States is committed to leading an international and coordinated effort to accelerate access to safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines to meet global needs. The United States is working with other governments and partners including COVAX, Caricom, and the African Vaccine Acquisition Trust (AVAT) to protect communities from COVID-19 and apply lessons from this pandemic to enhance health security now and in the future.
![Philippines. [Shutterstock]](https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Philippines-2196x1406.jpg)
