Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte today revealed that the United States had refused to sell his nation certain, unspecified weapons recently, warning that he is willing to “break up with America” and that President Obama can “go to hell.”
Duterte did not indicate what arms he was seeking, but has previously complained that the US is obsessed with selling his nation warplanes they don’t want or need. He added that the Philippines could easily buy the arms they need from China and Russia, and that both have offered to fill the gaps created by the US refusals.
Though shifting to another country’s arms after generations of total reliance of US made weaponry looks to be a major challenge for the Philippine military, arms exports are a highly competitive industry, and it’s doubtless that both China and Russia would love to replace the US, particularly in one of its traditionally most solid markets.
The White House tried to be dismissive of the comments, claiming they are “at odds with the warm relationship” between the US and the Philippines. They also denied having been informed of any changes in Philippines’ policy, suggesting they intend for now to just pretend that nothing is happening.
I’m sure Bibi has some extra USG arms he could sell
Duterte. Probably a couple of nukes too.
Like the deal they offered South Africa, nukes in three sizes, like selling soda pop to children.
Small, Medium and Large.
Nuclear holocaust is not a Holocaust.
I don’t know what Obama is thinking — if he is thinking at all. Take a look at the geographic position of the Phillipines and remember that arms suppliers usally provide technical support, i.e. advisors, thousands of them if need be located on the ground, supporting the training and advising the Phillipine military. Nice move, Obama. Real smart.
Spot on, Kay; you nailed it brilliantly. Truth is, Obama wasn’t at all thinking. He failed to take into account the geographic position of the Philippines and also failed to remember that arms suppliers usually provide technical support, i.e. advisers, thousands of them if need be, located on the ground, supporting the training and advising the Philippine military.
Having a 120 IQ doesn’t always mean having common sense, which Obama definitely lacks. Alienating the Philippine govt under Rodrigo Duterte was a very stupid move, to say the least. All that did was to drive the Philippines into the arms of China, who’s more than willing to provide all the arms they’d need.
Let them sell there souls for some weapons all there losing is there resources in the South China sea from the oil reserves to the fishing rights…People honestly Obama’s administration is gone in a few months this guy knows that…Relax both Hillary Clinton and D.Trump are brilliant negotiators we’ll be selling them weapons and building up Trump Luxury Resorts in no time…Calm down America will be alright.
Yes, it will be alright. Since Republicans tossed Trump under the bus — and Pence instead of countering Democrat trashy behavior on international stage, joined the Nrocon international and even outdine them in gutter level behavior. So while a rough Duterte may speak his miind openly — our allies in the East have gad it enough
Wish more national “leaders” would tell Obama (and whomever replaces him) to go to hell. I just wish it wasn’t over arms shipments.