Duterte’s Tilt Toward China Upsets U.S. Strategy in Asia
- Philippine leader has taken more pragmatic approach to China
- ‘New normal’ in relations between the U.S. and Philippines
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Just when some of China’s neighbors were seeking to curtail its expansionism, along came Rodrigo Duterte.
In less than three months on the job, the 71 year-old Philippine leader has used expletives in talking about U.S. President Barack Obama and vowed to end cooperation with the U.S. military in both fighting terrorism and patrolling the disputed South China Sea. He’s moved to boost economic and defense ties with China and Russia.