WASHINGTON, D.C. – This month, Senator Rick Scott, Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower, visited Japan and the Philippines to reinforce our military and economic alliance and support President Trump’s vital work in the region. These countries are the United States’ greatest allies in the Indo-Pacific region as we strive for the global defense against the threat of our enemy, Communist China, and ensure the security of American families and the American way of life as President Trump pursues Peace Through Strength policies. During this trip, Senator Scott met with foreign leaders and visited American servicemen and women stationed in Okinawa who play a crucial role in protecting the region and the globe against the threat of Xi Jinping and the Chinese Communist Party. Senator Scott also met with key economic stakeholders in the region and visited the U.S. Naval Ship Repair Facility and Japan Regional Maintenance Center to discuss continued growth of these critical relationships.

Senator Rick Scott said, ”I had the great opportunity to visit Japan and the Philippines, two of our most vital allies in our fight against the encroaching influence and threat of Communist China on the global stage. As the Chair of the Senate Armed Services’ Subcommittee on Seapower, I know it is more important than ever that we join with our allies in the region to push back and contain this threat and work together to invest in mutually rewarding enterprises, like development in Subic Bay and strong trade relations. I was honored to meet with the U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines, Ambassador MaryKay L. Carson, Philippine National Defense Secretary Teodoro, U.S. Ambassador to Japan, George Glass, and other leaders to discuss our shared commitment to defense and economic development and to reinforce our close and vital relationships. I also had the great opportunity to meet with American servicemen and women who were stationed abroad serving our great nation in critical missions, and to honor those who have fallen.

“I visited the Philippines in 2023 and Japan in 2022, and this recent trip reinforced my takeaway from those trips: America cannot take its eyes off this region or the increased aggression shown by Communist China and the threat it poses to our economy, our military, and the world. It is more important than ever to have a close economic relationship with our allies and keep a strong military force in the region. Thankfully, we have President Trump in the White House, who is fully committed to ensuring the United States has the strongest military force, enforcing Peace Through Strength, and working with our allies to protect America’s best interests around the world. I will continue working with President Trump, my colleagues, and our allies to deter threats to the American way of life, to the world, and all freedom-loving countries.”

While in the Philippines, Senator Scott was honored to meet with U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines, Ambassador MaryKay L. Carson and Philippine National Defense Secretary Teodoro to discuss ways to keep working closely as allies.

While in Japan, Senator Scott, accompanied by his wife, Ann, met with some of the incredible U.S. Marines at Camp Foster in Okinawa to thank them for all they do playing an essential role in defending our country and the globe against Communist China. 

Senator Scott was accompanied by his wife, Ann Scott, whose father was stationed in the Philippines while serving in the Army; she was honored to visit the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial to pay her respects to those who served.

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