Philippines' Duterte gets Trump White House invite during 'animated' call
By Martin Petty and David Brunnstrom
ReutersDecember 2, 2016
By Martin Petty and David Brunnstrom
MANILA/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Donald Trump invited Philippines leader Rodrigo Duterte to the White House next year during a "very engaging, animated" phone conversation, a Duterte aide said on Friday, amid rocky relations between their two countries.
A statement issued by Trump's transition team, however, made no mention of an invitation.
Trump's brief chat with the firebrand Philippine president follows a period of uncertainty about one of Washington's most important Asian alliances, stoked by Duterte's hostility toward President Barack Obama and repeated threats to sever decades-old defense ties.
The call lasted just over seven minutes, Duterte's special adviser, Christopher Go, said in a text message to media, which gave few details.
Duterte congratulated the U.S. president-elect, the Trump team's statement said, and the two men "noted the long history of friendship and cooperation between the two nations, and agreed that the two governments would continue to work together closely on matters of shared interest and concern."
In five months in office, Duterte has upended Philippine foreign policy by berating the United States, making overtures toward historic rival China and pursuing a new alliance with Russia.
His diplomacy has created jitters among Asian countries wary about Beijing's rising influence and Washington's staying power as a regional counterbalance.
Duterte has praised China and told Obama to "go to hell" and called him a "son of a bitch" whom he would humiliate if he visited the Philippines.
The anger was unleashed after Democrat Obama expressed concern about possible human rights abuses in Duterte's war on drugs, during which more than 2,000 people have been killed.
Duterte initially expressed optimism about having Trump in the Oval Office, saying he no longer wanted quarrels. But he has continued to rail against U.S. "hypocrisy" and "bullying".
Republican Trump, a New York businessman who has never previously held public office, told Reuters during the election campaign that Duterte's comments showed "a lack of respect for our country." But he also stressed the "very important strategic location" of the Philippines and blamed Obama for failing to take the time to get to know world leaders.
'CLEAN SLATE'
A source who has advised Trump's transition team on security policy told Reuters last week the president-elect would start a "clean slate" with Duterte, and analysts see some similarities in their blunt style.
"He is perfectly capable of talking to Duterte in an open way without being wedded to previous policy failures," the source said of Trump, while stressing the importance of security ties.
Sometimes called the "Trump of the East" because of his mercurial ways, Duterte has threatened repeatedly to sever U.S. defense ties, saying he "hates" having foreign soldiers in his country.
Joint military exercises look set to be scaled back as Duterte has demanded and a question mark hangs over the future of a 2014 Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), a deal of strategic importance to Washington because it allows U.S. forces access to Philippine bases on a troop rotation basis.
"EDCA is a concern and some of the things Duterte has said are a concern," the source who has advised Trump's transition said. "That is not going to change based on who the president is."
Duterte caused a stir when he visited China in October and announced his "separation" from the United States. He has said Washington could not be trusted to support the Philippines if it were attacked, as mandated in a joint defense treaty.
In an article published just before the U.S. election, Trump advisers Peter Navarro and Alex Gray blamed the breakdown on the Obama administration's failure to intervene in 2012 when China seized the Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, which the Philippines considers its fishing ground.
"Washington's utter failure to uphold its obligations to a longtime, pivotal ally during one of its most humiliating crises has no doubt contributed to (Duterte's) low opinion of American security guarantees — and his recent move toward a China alliance," they wrote.
Some experts say Duterte's appointment of special envoys to Washington suggest he aims to keep good ties.
Among the envoys is multi-millionaire real estate tycoon Jose Antonio, who bought the rights to name a new office tower in Manila "Trump Towers".
U.S. State Department spokesman John Kirby said he did not know whether the department had assisted in setting up Trump's call with Duterte, but stood ready to provide such help.
Philippines expert Ernest Bower of the Bower Group Asia consultancy said it was likely the call was facilitated by Trump's business partners in the Philippines and a core group of advisers, who include his children.
Bower said Trump's election victory could offer Duterte a face-saving way to move back from his anti-U.S. rhetoric, while Duterte could provide Trump with a way to stress the importance of Asian alliances, which he appeared to question during the campaign.
Murray Hiebert of the Center for Strategic and International Studies noted that the Philippines would be chairing the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations next year and it was common for the United States to extend an invitation to the chair ahead of the U.S.-ASEAN summit.
Bower said this may have been fortuitous on Trump's part.
"My guess is he was more interested in making a point - that he could deal with Duterte in ways Obama couldn't - than in the strategic wisdom of driving alignment with the ASEAN chair ahead of the ASEAN and East Asian summits."
https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-invites-philippines-duterte-white-house-during-animated-161838126.html
By Martin Petty and David Brunnstrom
ReutersDecember 2, 2016
By Martin Petty and David Brunnstrom
MANILA/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Donald Trump invited Philippines leader Rodrigo Duterte to the White House next year during a "very engaging, animated" phone conversation, a Duterte aide said on Friday, amid rocky relations between their two countries.
A statement issued by Trump's transition team, however, made no mention of an invitation.
Trump's brief chat with the firebrand Philippine president follows a period of uncertainty about one of Washington's most important Asian alliances, stoked by Duterte's hostility toward President Barack Obama and repeated threats to sever decades-old defense ties.
The call lasted just over seven minutes, Duterte's special adviser, Christopher Go, said in a text message to media, which gave few details.
Duterte congratulated the U.S. president-elect, the Trump team's statement said, and the two men "noted the long history of friendship and cooperation between the two nations, and agreed that the two governments would continue to work together closely on matters of shared interest and concern."
In five months in office, Duterte has upended Philippine foreign policy by berating the United States, making overtures toward historic rival China and pursuing a new alliance with Russia.
His diplomacy has created jitters among Asian countries wary about Beijing's rising influence and Washington's staying power as a regional counterbalance.
Duterte has praised China and told Obama to "go to hell" and called him a "son of a bitch" whom he would humiliate if he visited the Philippines.
The anger was unleashed after Democrat Obama expressed concern about possible human rights abuses in Duterte's war on drugs, during which more than 2,000 people have been killed.
Duterte initially expressed optimism about having Trump in the Oval Office, saying he no longer wanted quarrels. But he has continued to rail against U.S. "hypocrisy" and "bullying".
Republican Trump, a New York businessman who has never previously held public office, told Reuters during the election campaign that Duterte's comments showed "a lack of respect for our country." But he also stressed the "very important strategic location" of the Philippines and blamed Obama for failing to take the time to get to know world leaders.
'CLEAN SLATE'
A source who has advised Trump's transition team on security policy told Reuters last week the president-elect would start a "clean slate" with Duterte, and analysts see some similarities in their blunt style.
"He is perfectly capable of talking to Duterte in an open way without being wedded to previous policy failures," the source said of Trump, while stressing the importance of security ties.
Sometimes called the "Trump of the East" because of his mercurial ways, Duterte has threatened repeatedly to sever U.S. defense ties, saying he "hates" having foreign soldiers in his country.
Joint military exercises look set to be scaled back as Duterte has demanded and a question mark hangs over the future of a 2014 Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), a deal of strategic importance to Washington because it allows U.S. forces access to Philippine bases on a troop rotation basis.
"EDCA is a concern and some of the things Duterte has said are a concern," the source who has advised Trump's transition said. "That is not going to change based on who the president is."
Duterte caused a stir when he visited China in October and announced his "separation" from the United States. He has said Washington could not be trusted to support the Philippines if it were attacked, as mandated in a joint defense treaty.
In an article published just before the U.S. election, Trump advisers Peter Navarro and Alex Gray blamed the breakdown on the Obama administration's failure to intervene in 2012 when China seized the Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, which the Philippines considers its fishing ground.
"Washington's utter failure to uphold its obligations to a longtime, pivotal ally during one of its most humiliating crises has no doubt contributed to (Duterte's) low opinion of American security guarantees — and his recent move toward a China alliance," they wrote.
Some experts say Duterte's appointment of special envoys to Washington suggest he aims to keep good ties.
Among the envoys is multi-millionaire real estate tycoon Jose Antonio, who bought the rights to name a new office tower in Manila "Trump Towers".
U.S. State Department spokesman John Kirby said he did not know whether the department had assisted in setting up Trump's call with Duterte, but stood ready to provide such help.
Philippines expert Ernest Bower of the Bower Group Asia consultancy said it was likely the call was facilitated by Trump's business partners in the Philippines and a core group of advisers, who include his children.
Bower said Trump's election victory could offer Duterte a face-saving way to move back from his anti-U.S. rhetoric, while Duterte could provide Trump with a way to stress the importance of Asian alliances, which he appeared to question during the campaign.
Murray Hiebert of the Center for Strategic and International Studies noted that the Philippines would be chairing the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations next year and it was common for the United States to extend an invitation to the chair ahead of the U.S.-ASEAN summit.
Bower said this may have been fortuitous on Trump's part.
"My guess is he was more interested in making a point - that he could deal with Duterte in ways Obama couldn't - than in the strategic wisdom of driving alignment with the ASEAN chair ahead of the ASEAN and East Asian summits."
https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-invites-philippines-duterte-white-house-during-animated-161838126.html
Yesterday at 7:23 am by Rocky
» Governor of Baghdad: 20 projects will be included during the current year in the city of Nahrawan
Yesterday at 7:20 am by Rocky
» More than $242 million in central bank sales today
Yesterday at 7:17 am by Rocky
» Advisor: Sudanese is determined to close the displacement file
Yesterday at 7:14 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani: The implementation of the 2023 budget witnessed a success that must be invested in
Yesterday at 7:13 am by Rocky
» The Baghdad Council will decide on the nomination of the committees in the coming days
Yesterday at 7:10 am by Rocky
» Al-Samarrai: The Sunni community is not in favor of removing American forces
Yesterday at 7:08 am by Rocky
» A warning from Al-Rasheed to those wishing to apply for advances and loans
Yesterday at 7:06 am by Rocky
» Azerbaijan expresses its desire to participate in the implementation of joint projects in the oil an
Yesterday at 7:05 am by Rocky
» Fuel cards arouse citizens' discontent
Yesterday at 7:03 am by Rocky
» utube 3/18/24 MM&C Iraqi Dinar-- IQD-- Dinar Update -100% Electronic - Real Effective Exchange Rat
Yesterday at 5:21 am by Rocky
» utube MM&C 3/16/24 0:05 / 18:16 Iraq Federal Court Brings - Strength to Financial - Politic
Yesterday at 5:18 am by Rocky
» MM&C 3/18/24 Sudanese Advisor: Iraq will leave government monetary dealing in mid-2024
Yesterday at 5:17 am by Rocky
» A delegation from the Kurdistan government visits Baghdad to discuss the issue of localization of sa
Yesterday at 5:11 am by Rocky
» Director of the Central Oil Company: We are keen to provide the appropriate investment environment
Yesterday at 5:10 am by Rocky
» The Energy Parliament calls for reporting generators violating government pricing
Yesterday at 5:08 am by Rocky
» A representative reveals the fate of the laws of “previous sessions”
Yesterday at 5:07 am by Rocky
» Politician: Coordination holds the keys to resolving the “Parliament Presidency” conflict
Yesterday at 5:05 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani: Iraq wants to carry out its peaceful activity in the field of atomic energy
Yesterday at 5:04 am by Rocky
» Including a minister and a parliamentarian... 38 arrest and recruitment orders were issued against t
Yesterday at 5:02 am by Rocky
» Integrity: Citizens’ cooperation resulted in detecting inflation and returning state funds
Yesterday at 5:01 am by Rocky
» Agriculture presents 97 projects to the Ministerial Council for the Economy
Yesterday at 4:59 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani: We succeeded in implementing the 2023 budget, and we must continue to complete economic p
Yesterday at 4:58 am by Rocky
» Labor adopts new mechanisms to reduce the phenomenon of begging
Yesterday at 4:57 am by Rocky
» Electronically.. directing the collection of fees tomorrow in an Iraqi governorate
Yesterday at 4:56 am by Rocky
» Held in Brussels.. Iraq receives an official invitation to attend the Nuclear Energy Summit
Yesterday at 4:55 am by Rocky
» Kurdistan has been paralyzed. There has been no liquidity in hand for 50 days, and the truth has bee
Yesterday at 4:53 am by Rocky
» The dollar continues to decline against the Iraqi dinar on the stock exchange and exchange offices
Yesterday at 4:52 am by Rocky
» The Minister of Oil reveals the reasons for Shell’s withdrawal from Nebras: It will be divided into
Yesterday at 4:51 am by Rocky
» The Housing Fund advises loan applicants and launches a link for inquiries
Yesterday at 4:50 am by Rocky
» He stressed that the government’s vision is to make one class not exceed 25 students...Government me
Yesterday at 4:48 am by Rocky
» Al-Hakim and Al-Halbousi stress the importance of choosing a speaker for Parliament in accordance wi
Yesterday at 4:47 am by Rocky
» Iron and Steel Company: Iraq is on the verge of a major industrial revolution
Yesterday at 4:46 am by Rocky
» Economists: Citizens still prefer cash transactions over electronic transactions
Yesterday at 4:45 am by Rocky
» The compass of Iraq's foreign policy in a world of turbulent polarization
Yesterday at 4:43 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Finance: The federal budget is in the corridors of the Council of Ministers, and there
Yesterday at 4:42 am by Rocky
» Integrity calls on citizens to report the inflation of funds in the sector of the Ministry of Labor
Yesterday at 4:40 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani directs the launch of initiatives for young businessmen and investors
Yesterday at 4:38 am by Rocky
» Representative agriculture emphasizes taking supportive measures for the local product
Yesterday at 4:37 am by Rocky
» An economist calls on the government to support and stimulate the private sector
Yesterday at 4:36 am by Rocky
» Al-Ittihad: Employees and retirees in Kurdistan paid the price of political differences with Baghdad
Yesterday at 4:34 am by Rocky
» Al-Samarrai and Al-Hakim discuss the importance of achieving political and constitutional entitlemen
Yesterday at 4:32 am by Rocky
» Only 23 million dunums. Iraq exploits approximately 50% of its arable land
Yesterday at 4:30 am by Rocky
» Türkiye considers it a political issue.. Where have the negotiations reached regarding Iraq’s water
Yesterday at 4:29 am by Rocky
» Sudanese receives an invitation to attend the Nuclear Energy Summit in Brussels - Urgent
Yesterday at 4:27 am by Rocky
» Central Bank sales exceed $240 million today
Sun 17 Mar 2024, 6:52 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Finance calls on the government to expedite sending the 2024 budget to Parliament
Sun 17 Mar 2024, 6:47 am by Rocky
» ‘We’re So Sick of It’: Northern Border Crisis Gets Worse
Sun 17 Mar 2024, 6:35 am by Bama Diva
» A representative holds Kurdistan responsible for the faltering legislation of the oil and gas law
Sun 17 Mar 2024, 5:27 am by Rocky
» Warnings of the danger of the increase in foreign labor in Iraq
Sun 17 Mar 2024, 5:26 am by Rocky
» Iraq's oil exports to America decreased within a week
Sun 17 Mar 2024, 5:25 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani chairs an “important” meeting to form the Kirkuk government
Sun 17 Mar 2024, 5:23 am by Rocky
» Investment confirms the adoption of a new method in new residential cities and explains its details
Sun 17 Mar 2024, 5:21 am by Rocky
» For the first time in 2024.. exchange rates fall to the threshold of 149 thousand in Baghdad
Sun 17 Mar 2024, 5:19 am by Rocky
» Including gold.. An increase in exports of 3 Turkish products to Iraq during 2024
Sun 17 Mar 2024, 5:18 am by Rocky
» A detailed integrity report regarding the Housing Fund... called for this matter
Sun 17 Mar 2024, 5:17 am by Rocky
» Resources count the number of trespassers in Baghdad.. What about restaurants?
Sun 17 Mar 2024, 5:16 am by Rocky
» At a cost of approximately two billion dinars... determining the completion rates achieved in the Ma
Sun 17 Mar 2024, 5:15 am by Rocky
» Parliament awaits the “Cabinet of Ministers” law
Sun 17 Mar 2024, 5:14 am by Rocky
» Provincial councils return after an absence with a heavy legacy
Sun 17 Mar 2024, 5:13 am by Rocky
» Iraq is the axis and meeting point of East and West
Sun 17 Mar 2024, 5:11 am by Rocky
» One million beneficiaries of health insurance early next May
Sun 17 Mar 2024, 5:10 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Finance: Delaying the budget had a negative impact on the performance of the ministrie
Sun 17 Mar 2024, 5:09 am by Rocky
» The chaos of urban expansion threatens the agricultural character of Diwaniyah
Sun 17 Mar 2024, 5:08 am by Rocky
» A project to plant Japanese trees in Erbil
Sun 17 Mar 2024, 5:07 am by Rocky
» A team to prepare the national strategy for national security in Kirkuk
Sun 17 Mar 2024, 5:06 am by Rocky
» Next Tuesday...concluding a contract to expand the basic design of the city of Mosul
Sun 17 Mar 2024, 5:04 am by Rocky
» A festival to reduce food prices in Mosul
Sun 17 Mar 2024, 5:03 am by Rocky
» Technical committees between Baghdad and Erbil to resume oil exports through Türkiye
Sun 17 Mar 2024, 5:02 am by Rocky
» A model of economic diversification
Sun 17 Mar 2024, 5:01 am by Rocky
» Variation in the extent to which Iraq was affected by the decision to reduce the credit rating of {T
Sun 17 Mar 2024, 5:00 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani: Iraq has made a commitment to receive the entire security file from the Ministry of Inter
Sun 17 Mar 2024, 4:58 am by Rocky
» The President of the Republic stresses the important role of Mr. Abdul Aziz Al-Hakim in the first st
Sun 17 Mar 2024, 4:56 am by Rocky
» The Iraqi Center for Combating Rumors warns against social media celebrities misleading their follow
Sun 17 Mar 2024, 4:54 am by Rocky
» Integrity investigates the work of the Housing Fund and indicates debts worth 56 billion dinars
Sun 17 Mar 2024, 4:53 am by Rocky
» Agricultural associations in Karbala welcome the provincial council’s decision to prevent the fragme
Sun 17 Mar 2024, 4:52 am by Rocky
» Free education lecturers demand that they be given job opportunities and contracts in Kirkuk
Sun 17 Mar 2024, 4:51 am by Rocky
» The Digital Media Center calls for not browsing links published on a government page
Sun 17 Mar 2024, 4:50 am by Rocky
» The President of the Republic confirms the strength of relations between Iraq and Italy
Sun 17 Mar 2024, 4:48 am by Rocky
» A decline in Iraq's oil exports to America during the past week
Sun 17 Mar 2024, 4:47 am by Rocky
» Economic researcher for / NINA /: Iraqi youth are qualified for the labor market and relying on them
Sun 17 Mar 2024, 4:46 am by Rocky
» The Minister of Planning is following up on the Statistics Authority’s preparations to conduct the g
Sun 17 Mar 2024, 4:45 am by Rocky
» 5 days after sending the money and the Kurdistan government has not paid the salaries...a political
Sun 17 Mar 2024, 4:44 am by Rocky
» A political reading about Sudanese political concern.. Amending the election law is one of the attem
Sun 17 Mar 2024, 4:42 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani to the Baghdad government: Pay attention to the outskirts of the capital, and drainage mus
Sun 17 Mar 2024, 4:41 am by Rocky
» The Iraqi dinar recovers against the dollar in local markets
Sun 17 Mar 2024, 4:39 am by Rocky
» Investment provides a summary of Bismaya units... and the new cities have “fixed prices” for the fir
Sun 17 Mar 2024, 4:38 am by Rocky
» “Hidden commissions” on electronic fuel cards, contrary to what is advertised.. To whom does 100 mil
Sun 17 Mar 2024, 4:37 am by Rocky
» Al-Hasnawi: The government is continuing to accelerate the completion and opening of lagging health
Sun 17 Mar 2024, 4:36 am by Rocky
» Oil: The gasoline import file will be closed early next year
Sun 17 Mar 2024, 4:35 am by Rocky
» “My account or your account”... a new problem behind the delay in the salaries of the region’s emplo
Sun 17 Mar 2024, 4:34 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani: Iraq is about to host important events and conferences
Sun 17 Mar 2024, 4:33 am by Rocky
» In Erdogan's visit to Iraq...the path of development in exchange for water
Sun 17 Mar 2024, 4:33 am by Rocky
» An American report on Washington’s seriousness in withdrawing from Iraq: Biden does not want to lose
Sun 17 Mar 2024, 4:30 am by Rocky
» The organization is banned in Iraq.. Baghdad decides the fate of the Workers’ Party after 40 years o
Sun 17 Mar 2024, 4:29 am by Rocky
» The rain exposes the poor quality of service projects and calls for the dismissal of officials and h
Sun 17 Mar 2024, 4:28 am by Rocky
» Politician: Ankara needs Baghdad economically, and the path of development is Iraq’s trump card
Sun 17 Mar 2024, 4:26 am by Rocky
» Economic calls to adopt a new philosophy for implementing strategic projects
Sun 17 Mar 2024, 4:24 am by Rocky
» Al-Maliki: My alliance with Al-Sadr is possible, and the movement’s distance from it is an unhealthy
Sun 17 Mar 2024, 4:23 am by Rocky