President McKinley and the Republicans felt that acquiring the Philippines Island would allow for increased economic opportunities in the Asian market. This is because the Philippines Island (geographically) is very close to the continent of China. The Philippines Island is close to Asian nations such as Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Taiwan. Being close to these countries would allow for increased trade and the ability for America to access resources that were scarce in the US but popular in the aforementioned countries.