Romualdez meets Trump's new ambassador to PH before Manila posting

MANILA, Philippines — Incoming US Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Lipton met with Philippine Ambassador Jose Manuel G. Romualdez on May 19 ahead of his departure for Manila, days after the US Senate narrowly confirmed President Donald Trump's picks for different diplomatic posts. 

The meeting at the Philippine Embassy in Washington came a day after Lipton and other appointees cleared the US Senate on a 46-43 vote on May 18.  

Lipton is a businessman and longtime associate of Trump. 

Romualdez and Lipton discussed expanding cooperation in critical minerals processing, energy, advanced manufacturing, and supply chains, according to the embassy, sectors the Trump administration has flagged as priorities in its push to reduce US dependence on China. 

They also tackled the Philippines' ASEAN chairship and Manila's bid for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, with elections set for June.

"Pleasure to meet incoming U.S. Amb to the PH Lee Lipton before he departs to PH," Romualdez said in a post on X, calling the exchange productive.

Lipton is the first non-career US diplomat sent to the Philippines in decades, breaking from a long tradition of career foreign service officers in the post.

He built businesses in apparel and hospitality before entering public service. His only prior government role was a stint as interim US permanent representative to the Organization of American States, which he took up in January 2025.

Lipton replaces career diplomat MaryKay Carlson, who served as ambassador in Manila from July 2022 until January this year.

At his March 5 Senate confirmation hearing, Lipton pledged to uphold the Mutual Defense Treaty and said his goal was to confront Chinese unlawful expansion in the region.