The Philippines has boasted of an early win in its pivot from the US to China: a surge in sales of tropical fruits for which President Rodrigo Duterte’s home island is renowned.
Exports of Philippine bananas have soared since the outspoken leader’s landmark October trip to Beijing led China to lift import curbs imposed in the wake of maritime territory dispute.
Manila’s banana diplomacy underlines the fruit’s role as a bellwether of the country’s domestic politics and Asia’s security dynamics. It has also raised questions about whether Mr Duterte is getting enough in return for a strategic shift in which he has embraced China and poured scorn on the US, a longtime ally, since taking office last June.
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