Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has declared a pivot in Philippines foreign policy that will "separate" it from the United States and bring it closer to China and Russia. The reaction from U.S. policymakers and pundits has ranged from shock to disbelief, denial, resentment and grudging acceptance. The common hope seems to be that this is just a phase that will pass — either the shift in policy or Duterte himself.
Duterte has indicated that he will reevaluate and perhaps rescind the 2014 U.S.-Philippines Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) that allows the U.S. to rotate troops and assets through bases in the Philippines.
In response, Pentagon spokesperson Gary Ross said that the EDCA is an international agreement and that both the U.S. and the Philippines are bound by it. White House spokesman Josh Earnest described Duterte's comments as "personal," "offensive" and "confusing."