Global Security and Intelligence Studies Volume 2, Issue 1, Fall 2016 | Page 48

Global Security and Intelligence Studies
Table 2: Multilateral Aid to Philippines, 2005–2011 ($ millions)
2005 $ 2006 $ 2007 $ 2008 $
EU 3.9 Australia 7.1 EU 8.3 EU 13.1
Germany 1.9 EU 4.6 Sweden 3.1 Spain 8.1
United Kingdom 1.2 Saudi Arabia 2.4 Spain 3.0 United States 4.8
Australia 0.9 Spain 2.4 the Netherlands 2.8 Germany 4.1
Canada 0.9 Germany 2.0 Germany 2.4 Australia 3.1
United States 0.8 Norway 1.9 Italy 1.7 Italy 2.8
France 0.8 United Kingdom 1.8 United Kingdom 1.7 France 2.6
Norway 0.5 the Netherlands 1.6 France 1.6 United Kingdom 2.3
Sweden 0.4 Canada 1.4 Japan 1.5 Sweden 2.1
Spain 0.3 Korea 1.2 Denmark 1.0 the Netherlands 1.8
2009 $ 2010 $ 2011 $
Spain 17.2 Japan 48.1 Japan 59.4
EU 16.2 EU 23.1 EU 14.8
Japan 11.6 United States 19.5 Australia 14.6
Germany 9.0 Germany 6.4 United States 9.8
Australia 8.1 Spain 6.1 Sweden 5.3
Canada 6.0 Sweden 5.4 United Kingdom 4.6
Sweden 5.6 France 4.5 Germany 4.1
United States 5.4 Australia 4.0 Spain 3.8
United Kingdom 5.2 United Kingdom 3.8 Norway 3.8
Italy 3.8 Italy 2.7 France 2.6
Source: Development Initiatives based on Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development,
Development Assistance Committee, and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of
Humanitarian Assistance data, Financial Tracking Service; Reports and data be found at: http://www.
globalhumanitarianassistance.org/countryprofile/philippines
Strategic Considerations
Following the U.S. drawdown in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Obama
Administration placed the Asia-Pacific region at the center of its foreign policy agenda
with its so-called pivot or rebalance to Asia (Clinton 2011). Therefore, the U.S. response
was not only immediate; it was designed to express support for an important ally and
reinforce an already strong bilateral relationship.
The United States imports more goods and services from Asia than any other
zone and is now one of the largest export markets in the world. In 2010, 61% of U.S.
goods and 72% of agricultural exports went to states in Asia and the Pacific (USTR
2011). East Asia is expected to surpass NAFTA and the Euro zone as the world’s
largest trading zone as the region adds 175 million more people by 2030 and expects
to transport and consume more oil and raw materials (IMF 2011, 31). The widespread
destruction of the typhoon had the potential to cause regional economic instability.
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