VIDEO: Ricketts on Philippines: One of the Most Consequential Diplomatic Assignments in the Indo Pacific

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) chaired a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing where he discussed the importance of the U.S.-Philippines alliance and the importance of countering Communist China's malicious behavior.

"The Ambassador to the Philippines is one of the most consequential diplomatic assignments in the Indo Pacific," said Ricketts. "The Philippines is our oldest treaty ally in the region. This year represents the 75th anniversary of our Mutual Defense Treaty, which has helped anchor stability in the region."

"In recent years, that relationship has undergone a historic transformation," said Ricketts. "Enhanced defense cooperation, expanded access to strategic sites, joint maritime patrols, and a growing interoperability are now a central pillar of our mutual deterrence in the West Philippine Sea. However, Communist China continues its illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive activities within the Philippines, especially within their exclusive economic zone."

"The next ambassador must therefore do more than just maintain the status quo," concluded Ricketts. "This role requires strengthening deterrence, deepening defense coordination and enhancing resilience. It also requires expanding our economic relationship beyond traditional trade flows. This includes prioritizing high-tech sectors and supply chain security, boosting US investment in semiconductors and infrastructure, and advancing cooperation in critical minerals."

Watch the video HERE

Ricketts' comments were made in a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on nominations. The hearing considered the nominations of Frank Garcia, to be an Assistant Secretary of State (African Affairs); Lee Lipton, to be Ambassador to the Republic of the Philippines; Asel Roberts, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Slovenia; Troy Edgar, to be Ambassador to the Republic of El Salvador; and Jared Novelly, to be Ambassador to New Zealand, and to serve concurrently as Ambassador to the Independent State of Samoa, the Cook Islands, and Niue.