Today, President Trump said he had reached a trade agreement with the Philippines following a White House visit by its president, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

He is now the first Southeast Asian leader to visit the Oval Office during Mr. Trump's second term.

The U.S., the Philippines, and other Asian allies are increasing their cooperation to counter what the U.S. calls an expansionist China.

But these partners and allies are also being targeted by U.S. trade policies.

Nick Schifrin has more.

This is Philippine Coast Guard vessel.

You are directed to leave this area immediately.

In one of the world's most contested waters, a fierce face-off with China.

Last week, the Philippines Coast Guard intercepted what it called a Chinese spy vessel.

China published this video of what it called Philippines aggression.

But it has been China flexing its maritime muscles. Last year, it attacked Filipino ships with watercannies.

As part of its claims to control nearly the entire South China Sea,

that's a claim contested by over a dozen countries,

including by Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

We are essentially concerned with the defense of our territory and the exercise of our sovereign rights.

Today at the White House, Marcos envisioned an expanded regional alliance.

We need to do this with our partners.

And again, our strongest partner has always been the United States, present

that position very clearly to anyone who has intentions of unilaterally changing the world

order. The Philippines is the U.S.'s oldest Pacific ally, and the U.S. is treaty obligated to come to its

defense.

In recent years, that defense relationship has boomed.

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