Philippine minister 'clarifies' Duterte comments, says trade with U.S. safe

The Philippines will maintain trade and economic ties with the United States, Trade Minister Ramon Lopez said on Friday, a day after President Rodrigo Duterte announced his "separation" from Washington. Duterte made his comments in Beijing, where he was paving the way for what he calls a new commercial alliance as relations with long-time ally Washington deteriorate. "With that, in this venue, your honors, in this venue, I announce my separation from the United States," Duterte told Chinese and