New US envoy arrives in Manila

MANILA, Philippines — United States Ambassador Lee Lipton arrived yesterday in Manila to begin his diplomatic posting, according to the US embassy.

“Mabuhay and welcome back to the Philippines, US Ambassador Lee Lipton! We look forward to your leadership as we continue to mark #USPH80 and #Freedom250, #FriendsPartnersAllies,” the embassy posted on social media.

US President Donald Trump nominated Lipton as the new US envoy to succeed former ambassador MaryKay Carlson.

At a US Senate foreign relations committee hearing in March, Lipton said his goal will be to deepen US-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 committee, the US interagency and Philippine allies.

Lipton said he developed a lasting respect for the country during his early visits to the Philippines as an entrepreneur, manufacturing clothing decades ago.

He was confirmed by the US Senate as ambassador to the Philippines last month.

Lipton had served as chief of staff to the US Mission to the Organization of American States in January 2025.

Lipton helped lead engagement on a range of regional challenges, including efforts to counter malign influence, particularly from the Chinese Communist Party within the inter-American system.