PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte and United States President-elect Donald Trump will be having a phone conversation in the coming days, Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. said Thursday.
“We would be expecting within the next few days that they will have a telephone conversation,” Yasay said in a television interview, adding Duterte wants to have a good relationship with Trump unlike his relationship with outgoing US President Barack Obama.
Yasay said with the incoming Trump administration, the Philippines hopes to improve relations with Washington.
“I think our relationship with the United States will not only remain strong and firm, but will also grow stronger,” Yasay said, pointing out Manila only wants to push for a more independent foreign policy.
“The concerns, the issues we have raised transcend personalities… We are really harping on fundamental changes so we can pursue an independent foreign policy,” Yasay added.
