page_title: Philippines–United States relations
section_title: Military agreements
hierarchical_section_title: Philippines–United States relations / Military agreements
context_page_description: Philippines–United States relations The relationship between the United States and the Philippines has historically been strong and has been described as a Special relationship. The current Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte, however, is supportive of a foreign policy that is less dependent on the United States, favoring one that prioritizes closer relations with China and Russia, although the Philippines and the U.S. have a mutual defense treaty dating from 1951 and as of 2019 are actively working on implementation of an enhanced defense cooperation agreement concluded in 2014. The Philippines is one of the oldest Asian partners of the U.S. and a strategically major non-NATO ally.
caption: President Elpidio Quirino with Harry S. Truman at the White House, 1951.
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