MORE Filipinos view the United States and Japan as the Philippines’ most important economic partners, according to a September Pulse Asia survey commissioned by the Stratbase Group.
The US remained the top choice at 73 percent, followed by Japan at 62 percent, up 2 and 10 percentage points, respectively, from July.
Stratbase Group President Victor Andres Manhit said the findings reflected confidence in the two countries’ ability to bring investments, strengthen infrastructure, and expand the Philippines’ role in emerging technology supply chains.
The study’s results come amid the Marcos administration’s push for the Luzon Economic Corridor, a joint initiative with the US and Japan, to attract investments in infrastructure, clean energy, semiconductor manufacturing, logistics and digital connectivity.
Australia, South Korea, and the European Union (EU) also support the initiative.
Canada ranked third in the survey at 35 percent, up 7 percentage points; followed by Australia at 30 percent, down 5 points; and South Korea at 21 percent, up 1 point.
The United Kingdom followed at 20 percent, down 6 points. The EU and China each received 14 percent, with the EU gaining 1 point and China losing 3.
Taiwan rose 3 points to 11 percent, while India remained at 2 percent.
Manhit attributed China’s decline to tensions and reports of China Coast Guard harassment in the West Philippine Sea, as well as Beijing’s territorial claims involving the Philippines and Taiwan.
Mindanao is the only region where China consistently drew double-digit support, helping keep its nationwide rating above single digits, Manhit noted.
He said Taiwan’s rating could rise as its economic importance to the Philippines grows, particularly in technology and semiconductors.
Survey respondents’ familiarity with the choices could also influence their answers, he added.
The survey, conducted Sept. 17–23, asked 2,400 respondents to identify the Philippines’ most important partners in economic security from a list of countries and organizations. They could select up to three.
