Trump blames Obama for Philippine shift

Trump implied that President Barack Obama had neglected his presidential duties as he was often campaigning for Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. (Photo by Michael Vadon – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0.)

Donald Trump says the Philippine president’s shift toward closer relations with China after decades of a pro-U.S. foreign policy shows that “America has grown weak.”

The Republican presidential candidate said that the Philippines is a “very important strategic ally” and China and Russia “are probably going to take it.”

Trump made the comments during a campaign speech in North Carolina Friday as he promised to build up the “depleted” U.S. military.

Trump implied that President Barack Obama had neglected his presidential duties as he was often campaigning for Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton.

In China Thursday, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said he was separating from the U.

S.

But in Manila Friday, Duterte said he would not cut ties and it was in his country’s best interest to stay with America.