Florida businessman Lee Lipton named new US Ambassador to PH

The United States Senate has confirmed the nomination of Florida businessman Lee Lipton as the new U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines.

Lipton succeeds former U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Mary Kay Carlson.

According to the Philippine News Agency, Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Jose Manuel Romualdez said. Lipton is scheduled to arrive in Manila to begin his tour of duty in mid-June.

Lipton met with Romualdez on May 19, prior to his departure to the Philippines.

During the meeting, the two envoys discussed opportunities to further strengthen bilateral economic engagement, security cooperation, people-to-people ties, and regional collaboration.

They agreed to cooperate in supporting emerging sectors, including energy, critical minerals, advanced manufacturing, and supply chains.

The envoys also exchanged views on regional and global developments, including the Philippines’ chairship of Association of Southeast Asian Nations and its candidacy for a non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council this June.

Romualdez has expressed his confidence that U.S.-Philippines relations will continue to strengthen. This growth is supported by a shared commitment to advancing the interests of both countries and their people.

The PNA report said Lipton brings over 25 years of private sector experience to his diplomatic role.

Before his current appointment, he served as the Interim Permanent Representative of the U.S. Mission to the Organization of American States. In this role, he managed interagency coordination to advance U.S. foreign policy priorities across the Western Hemisphere.

Lipton, in his statement at his confirmation hearing in March, affirmed the Trump administration’s resolve to uphold the United States’ alliance with the Philippines, including its commitments under the Mutual Defense Treaty.

“My goal will be to deepen U.S.–Philippine security cooperation, strengthen supply chains, advance the Luzon Economic Corridor initiative, and promote fair and transparent trade through close and continuing engagements with this (US Senate Foreign Affairs) Committee, the US Interagency, and our Philippine Allies,” Lipton said.

-Paraluman News