Philippines is ironclad partner in semiconductor sector: US

Bangkok, Mar 19 (EFE).- United States Secretary Anthony Blinken said Tuesday that the Philippines is a key partner in the semiconductor sector during a trip to Manila, adding that the country’s role in this industry is increasing.

Blinken made these statements during a visit to the semiconductor assembly plant of Amkor Technology at the beginning of his trip to Manila, where he arrived after attending the Democracy Summit on Monday in Seoul.

He said there is a long history between the Philippines and the US in the semiconductor sector and that there are companies that have been, worked and invested there for many years. Blinken said the industry accounts for 20 percent of Philippine exports adding that his country is looking for new ways to further strengthen their cooperation and that the potential would be even greater in the future. The statements come a week after US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo urged during a meeting with local businessmen from Manila to double the 13 existing semiconductor facilities in the country.

Through the CHIPS Act, approved with the support of Democrats and Republicans in 2022, the US seeks to create supply chains in allied countries and reduce dependence on China in the manufacturing of these components, essential to produce everything from supercomputers to washing machines. The trips of Blinken and Raimondo, who also said during her trade mission in the Philippines that American companies would make investments of more than $1 billion in various sectors, come amid strengthening relations between Manila and Washington.

The coming to power of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in the Philippines in 2022 reversed the tendency of his predecessor Rodrigo Duterte to bet on Beijing to the detriment of historical ties with Washington, which has a mutual defense treaty with Manila, among other agreements. EFE pav/lds