(Eagle News) — United States President Donald Trump called Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte by his first name, thanking him for the “incredible hospitality” and congratulating him for the successful Philippine hosting of the ASEAN Summit.
Trump made these remarks at the 5th ASEAN-US Summit commemorating the 40th anniversary of ASEAN-US dialogue relations.
“Rodrigo, I would like to commend you on your success as ASEAN chair,” he said.
“At this very critical moment in time, and in the association’s history, such an important event, and I want to thank you for your incredible hospitality and the show last night– the talent at that show– I assume mostly from the Philippines, was fantastic, thank you.”
“And you were fantastic, thank you,” Trump said, referring to the ASEAN gala dinner Sunday night (November 13) where he had asked Duterte to sing.
The US President said that his country “stays committed to ASEAN’s role as a regional forum of total cooperation.”
“This diplomatic partnership advances the security and prosperity of the American people and the people of all Indo-Pacific nations,” he said.
President Trump said he was honored to represent the US at the ASEAN commemorative summit.
“We gather today at a time of great promise and great challenge I speak to you on behalf Speaking on behalf of 350 million Americans with a message friendship and partnership,” he said.
“I’m here to advance peace, to promote security and to work with you to achieve a truly free and open Indo-Pacific where were are proud and we have sovereign nations and we thrive and everybody wants to prosper,” he explained.
Trump who is on his final leg of his 12-day Asian tour has extended his stay in the Philippines for one more day to attend the 12th East Asia Summit scheduled tomorrow, Tuesday, November 14.
The ASEAN-US Summit in Manila which he attended “marked the 40 years of friendship and cooperation” between the US and the ASEAN.
“It’s a long time,” he noted of this US-ASEAN friendship.
“I also want to congratulate ASEAN on 50 years of promoting peace and prosperity and stability in Southeast Asia and in the broader Indo-Pacific regions,” the 71-year old US leader said.
Trump cited the incredible success of the ASEAN, as well as its proud heritage.
He stressed that US considered the ASEAN as a desirable economic partner.
“Today we celebrate your incredible success and we also seek economic partnership on the basis of fairness and reciprocity,” Trump said.
He then cited statistics showing how the US economy is improving under his watch, including US companies moving back to the country.
“So we want our partners in the region to be strong, independent and prosperous, in control of their own destinies and satellites to no one,” Trump said.
“These are the principles behind our vision for a Free and Open INDOPACIFIC. So again, I wish you all the best of luck. It’s an honor to be here,” he said.
“And Rodrigo, thank you very much for the way you treated all of us, thank you,” he added.