WASHINGTON, Jan 12 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden

on Sunday met virtually with his counterparts from Japan and the

Philippines to advance cooperation among the three countries,

the White House said.

The three leaders discussed trilateral maritime security and

economic cooperation, and China's "dangerous and unlawful

behavior in the South China Sea," it said in a statement.

"The three leaders agreed on the importance of continued

coordination to advance a free and open Indo-Pacific."

Biden spoke with Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru and

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. late on Sunday, a week

before Biden leaves office and hands power to President-elect

Donald Trump on Jan. 20.

Manila said the three countries, which met for a

trilateral summit in Washington in April, agreed to further

strengthen their ties in the face of growing tensions in

regional waters.

The South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of

annual ship-borne commerce, has been plagued by rising tensions

for years. China claims almost the entire South China Sea

despite a 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration

found Beijing's sweeping claims had no legal basis.

The U.S. has increased its security engagements with the

Philippines under Marcos, securing expanded access to Philippine

bases.

The White House statement made no mention of any

discussion about Nippon Steel's ( NISTF ) planned acquisition of

U.S. Steel, which Biden blocked on Jan. 3 citing national

security concerns.

Japan's foreign ministry said Ishiba asked Biden to allay

concerns in the Japanese and U.S. business communities over the

decision, noting that cooperation among allies and like-minded

countries was indispensable for establishing resilient supply

chains.

The White House had no immediate comment on the reported

discussion.