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US seeks clarity on Duterte 'separation' comments US seeks clarity on Duterte 'separation' comments
(35 minutes later)
The US has said it will seek clarity on the Philippine president's announcement of a "separation from the US".The US has said it will seek clarity on the Philippine president's announcement of a "separation from the US".
Rodrigo Duterte made the comments in China on Thursday at an economic forum, saying the separation applied to military and economic co-operation.Rodrigo Duterte made the comments in China on Thursday at an economic forum, saying the separation applied to military and economic co-operation.
US State Department spokesman John Kirby said the remarks were "at odds" with the "close relationship" shared by the countries.US State Department spokesman John Kirby said the remarks were "at odds" with the "close relationship" shared by the countries.
This is not the first mention of a separation from the US by Mr Duterte.This is not the first mention of a separation from the US by Mr Duterte.
But on Monday, the Philippine Trade Minister Ramon Lopez told the BBC the Philippines would not be stopping trade and investments with the US. But on Monday, the Philippine Secretary of Trade and Ministry Ramon Lopez told the BBC the Philippines would not be stopping trade and investments with the US.
Mr Lopez is in Beijing as part of Mr Duterte's visit. "We are still maintaining relationship with the West, but we are reducing or doing away with too much dependence," said Mr Lopez, who is in Beijing as part of Mr Duterte's visit.
Relations between China and the Philippines had deteriorated over a territorial dispute in the South China Sea, after an international tribunal sided with Manila and rejected Beijing's claims.Relations between China and the Philippines had deteriorated over a territorial dispute in the South China Sea, after an international tribunal sided with Manila and rejected Beijing's claims.
On Thursday, the two countries said they would restart dialogue to resolve the dispute.On Thursday, the two countries said they would restart dialogue to resolve the dispute.
Although Mr Duterte maintained fiery rhetoric towards Beijing during his presidential campaign, he switched to a more reconciliatory tone after taking power in June.Although Mr Duterte maintained fiery rhetoric towards Beijing during his presidential campaign, he switched to a more reconciliatory tone after taking power in June.
Mr Duterte has said he would end joint military exercises with the US. He has also admonished the US for criticising him over his bloody war against drugs that has been linked with thousands of extrajudicial killings, and said US President Barack Obama could "go to hell". Mr Duterte also recently said he would end joint military exercises with the US.
And he has admonished the US for criticising him over his bloody war against drugs that has been linked with thousands of extrajudicial killings, and said US President Barack Obama could "go to hell".
'Three of us against the world'
On Thursday he told Chinese and Philippine businesspeople: "I announce my separation from the United States. Both in military, not maybe social, but economics also. America has lost."On Thursday he told Chinese and Philippine businesspeople: "I announce my separation from the United States. Both in military, not maybe social, but economics also. America has lost."
"I've realigned myself in your ideological flow and maybe I will also go to Russia to talk to [President Vladimir] Putin and tell him that there are three of us against the world - China, Philippines, and Russia. It's the only way," Mr Duterte said."I've realigned myself in your ideological flow and maybe I will also go to Russia to talk to [President Vladimir] Putin and tell him that there are three of us against the world - China, Philippines, and Russia. It's the only way," Mr Duterte said.
US State Department spokesman John Kirby said the US was "baffled by this rhetoric" and that Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Russel would be in Manila this weekend and would try to get some answers.
"We are going to be seeking an explanation of exactly what the president meant when he talked about separation from the US," Mr Kirby told reporters.
Mr Duterte is in China with a large entourage of businessmen and diplomats. Trade and business deals are expecting to focus on promoting more Chinese tourists to the Philippines and increasing Filipino food exports to China.Mr Duterte is in China with a large entourage of businessmen and diplomats. Trade and business deals are expecting to focus on promoting more Chinese tourists to the Philippines and increasing Filipino food exports to China.
Mr Duterte has said he would approach China to buy weapons and boats to upgrade the country's military. Mr Lopez had said $13.5bn (£11bn) in deals would be signed on the visit.
Mr Duterte has also said he would approach China to buy weapons and boats to upgrade the country's military.