U.S.-Philippines VFA

The Philippine President-elect has indicated that he wants good relations with both the United States and China. Whether he can achieve it is another question.

Both nations have a strong incentive to maintain the pact, but next year's election could complicate matters.

It seems increasingly likely that the Visiting Forces Agreement will survive Duterte's term in office.

The Biden administration is keen on shoring up its alliance with Philippines, but President Rodrigo Duterte remains the joker in the pack.

Despite President Duterte's much-vaunted "pivot to China," the nation's relationship with the U.S. remains as strong as ever.

China may have missed a golden opportunity to see the VFA end, but Beijing is still determined to exploit gaps between the U.S. and its ally.

Did China miss its shot at the U.S.-Philippines Visiting Forces Agreement?

With the unwinding of the U.S.-Philippines Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), the utility of Washington’s oldest alliance in the Indo-Pacific hangs in the balance.

If Manila wants to wean itself off the U.S. alliance, it has several options. Each has drawbacks – but so does the status quo.

The decision has kicked off a 180-day countdown that may be used for renegotiation.