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The Diplomat
18-07-2025
- Business
- The Diplomat
Philippine President Marcos to Meet with Trump in Washington
The Philippine leader is the first Southeast Asian leader to be invited to Washington by President Trump since the start of his second term. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will depart on Sunday on a state visit to the United States, during which he will fortify Manila's security alliance with the U.S. and finalize a deal on tariffs. In a statement from Washington, Philippine Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez said that Marcos would visit Washington, D.C. from July 2o t0 22, during which he will 'reaffirm the Philippines' commitment to its alliance with the U.S., explore opportunities for greater security and economic cooperation, and discuss regional and international issues of common concern,' GMA News Online reported. The trip was first announced by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio during last week's ASEAN Regional Forum in Kuala Lumpur, and was subsequently confirmed by the Presidential Palace and the Department of Foreign Affairs. With the visit, Marcos will become the first Southeast Asian leader to be invited by Trump to Washington. It will also be his fifth visit to the country since taking office in mid-2022. These included visits to the United Nations General Assembly in September 2022, and two more visits in 2023, once for a meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden, and the second for the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting. He then visited again to attend the inaugural U.S.-Philippines-Japan Trilateral Summit in April 2024. The visit also comes shortly after the Trump administration threatened to impose a 20 percent tariff on the country's imports, up from the initial 17 percent announced by Trump in April. Like many of its neighbors, Manila is rushing to broker a more advantageous deal prior to August 1, when the White House has said its tariffs will come into effect. Negotiations between the U.S. and the Philippines are reportedly ongoing, although Marcos' visit, coming a week before the tariff deadline, could well see the announcement of a final deal between the two allies. In his statement, Romualdez did not elaborate on what topics would be discussed, but in a separate comment to GMA News Online, said that 'sensitive matters will likely be discussed.' Aside from an in-person meeting with Trump, Marcos will have several engagements with senior U.S. officials and business leaders during his visit, the ambassador added. One issue that will almost certainly be on the agenda is the maritime and security cooperation between Washington and Manila, which has increased in recent years as a result of China's growing maritime power and ambition. During Marcos' three years in office, Beijing has increased the frequency and intensity of its incursions into Philippine-claimed waters, resulting in a string of dangerous encounters between the two nations' coast guards. As a result, the Philippines and the U.S. have increased their security cooperation, and expanded it with other similarly concerned nations, such as Japan and Australia. Under Marcos, the Philippines has opened more of its military facilities to a rotational U.S. presence under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, and increased military exercises and joint patrols. Both the Biden and Trump administrations have also reaffirmed that the U.S. will come to the Philippines' defense under the Mutual Defense Treaty if its forces, ships and aircraft come under an armed attack, including in the South China Sea. Most recently, earlier this week, the U.S. Embassy announced that the U.S. Navy will construct two facilities for the repair and maintenance of Philippine military vessels on Palawan, the Philippine island closest to the Philippine-claimed islands and features in the South China Sea.
Korea Herald
15-07-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Lee sends APEC invitation letters to 20 countries
President Lee Jae Myung sent invitation letters Monday to 20 member economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation ahead of the 2025 event hosted by South Korea in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, scheduled from Oct. 31 to Nov. 1, Lee's spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said Tuesday. According to Kang, some of the leaders who received formal invitations "already expressed their willingness" verbally to attend the event, without elaborating which countries she was referring to. She added that some non-APEC members were invited to visit Gyeongju, naming the United Arab Emirates as an example, but clarified that North Korea was not among them. This year's event will discuss ways to boost regional connectivity and developments in digital innovation and foster prosperity, according to Lee's office. Lee's letter also highlighted the APEC's role in sustainable economic growth and prosperity. The letters would be the first official invitation sent by Lee, who was inaugurated in early June after the impeachment of disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol over his botched martial law imposition. The upcoming event will host some 4,000 representatives of the governments from the member economies, and they will be among some 30,000 participants in the event. The focus is on whether leaders of the major economies, such as the United States and China get together, raising the anticipation that they could meet in person amid intensifying trade conflict. The main event will also be accompanied by the APEC Business Advisory Council meeting and the CEO Summit. Also, a week before the main event, Gyeongju will host APEC Senior Officials' Meetings, as well as a ministerial-level meeting of foreign affairs and trade. South Korea is one of the 21 APEC member economies. It last hosted an APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Busan in 2005.
The Sun
04-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
PM Anwar congratulates President Lee on South Korea election victory
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has extended his warmest congratulations to Lee Jae-myung on his election as the President of South Korea. He said that this marks a turning point for South Korea, a nation that has emerged from a period of intense contest and scrutiny with resilience and democratic resolve. 'The people have spoken for renewal of trust, of institutions, and of national purpose,' he said in a Facebook post today. 'I welcome the opportunity to work with President Lee to deepen the friendship between our nations: in trade and technology, in peace and security, and the enduring ties between our peoples. Malaysia-South Korea ties were elevated to a Strategic Partnership in November 2024, a milestone reflecting both nations' shared ambitions. Anwar said Malaysia, as Chair of ASEAN for 2025, hopes to see ASEAN play a more prominent role in South Korea's regional outlook. South Korea currently chairs the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). 'As Chairs of ASEAN and APEC in 2025, respectively, Malaysia and South Korea are well placed to lead impactful regional initiatives. 'In a time of global flux, a deeper partnership between Southeast Asia and South Korea will be indispensable to us all,' he said. Anwar also wished Lee wisdom and success in the journey ahead and said he looks forward to meeting him in Kuala Lumpur this October for the ASEAN Summit, and again in Gyeongju, South Korea, for the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting later that month. Lee formally began his five-year term today after the National Election Commission (NEC) confirmed his election victory during a plenary session. The liberal Democratic Party (DP) candidate won the election with 49.42 per cent of the vote, defeating his rival Kim Moon-soo of the conservative People Power Party, who garnered 41.15 per cent.
The Sun
04-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
PM Anwar congratulates President Lee
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has extended his warmest congratulations to Lee Jae-myung on his election as the President of South Korea. He said that this marks a turning point for South Korea, a nation that has emerged from a period of intense contest and scrutiny with resilience and democratic resolve. 'The people have spoken for renewal of trust, of institutions, and of national purpose,' he said in a Facebook post today. 'I welcome the opportunity to work with President Lee to deepen the friendship between our nations: in trade and technology, in peace and security, and the enduring ties between our peoples. Malaysia-South Korea ties were elevated to a Strategic Partnership in November 2024, a milestone reflecting both nations' shared ambitions. Anwar said Malaysia, as Chair of ASEAN for 2025, hopes to see ASEAN play a more prominent role in South Korea's regional outlook. South Korea currently chairs the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). 'As Chairs of ASEAN and APEC in 2025, respectively, Malaysia and South Korea are well placed to lead impactful regional initiatives. 'In a time of global flux, a deeper partnership between Southeast Asia and South Korea will be indispensable to us all,' he said. Anwar also wished Lee wisdom and success in the journey ahead and said he looks forward to meeting him in Kuala Lumpur this October for the ASEAN Summit, and again in Gyeongju, South Korea, for the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting later that month. Lee formally began his five-year term today after the National Election Commission (NEC) confirmed his election victory during a plenary session. The liberal Democratic Party (DP) candidate won the election with 49.42 per cent of the vote, defeating his rival Kim Moon-soo of the conservative People Power Party, who garnered 41.15 per cent.
![[Contribution] Why APEC economic leaders must confront demographic crisis](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwimg.heraldcorp.com%2Fnews%2Fcms%2F2025%2F05%2F13%2Fnews-p.v1.20250507.f92704aab98a40948afb0466347972e4_T1.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
Korea Herald
13-05-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
[Contribution] Why APEC economic leaders must confront demographic crisis
By Joo Hyung-hwan, vice chair of the Presidential Committee on Ageing Society and Population Policy At the end of this October, the leaders from across the Asia-Pacific will gather in Gyeongju for the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, held under the theme, 'Building a Sustainable Tomorrow.' One of the most urgent and widely shared challenges facing APEC member economies is the demographic shift driven by low fertility rates and rapidly ageing populations. As the country with the world's lowest birth rate and the fastest-ageing population, Korea — this year's APEC chair — has identified 'Responding to Demographic Change in the Asia-Pacific Region' as a key deliverable of the meeting. This is a challenge that must be addressed head-on to ensure long-term sustainable development. In June last year, Korea declared a national emergency about the population and has since held monthly emergency population response meetings to advance policies tackling low birth rates and ageing. To foster a shared understanding among APEC member economies that demographic change is a common and pressing concern, Korea should consider proposing the 'Gyeongju Declaration on Joint Response to Demographic Change' as the flagship outcome of this year's Economic Leaders' Meeting. This declaration would outline clear, collective goals for the Asia-Pacific region and signal the beginning of deeper regional cooperation on one of the defining issues of our time. To that end, working-level groups must engage in substantive, in-depth discussions on population-related challenges. Joint research among member economies' institutions — alongside focused ministerial meetings — should address key areas such as balancing work and family, affordable and high-quality child care and elderly care systems, sustainable pension reform, labor market issues including continued employment for seniors and migration, as well as education, gender equality and the silver economy. The APEC CEO Summit and related business forums, held in parallel with the Economic Leaders' Meeting, also offer timely platforms to elevate the population agenda. The idea of inviting Elon Musk as a special guest for a dialogue session could be considered. In 2022, Musk claimed that Korea is "tracking to lose about half its population roughly every generation' — a claim that, if it were actually true, could catalyze high-level conversations among global leaders, innovators and business executives. In addition, Korea could propose hosting an 'Age-Tech Exhibition' as a side event, with full participation from APEC member economies. As cutting-edge technologies — such as AI, IoT, robotics and biotechnology — converge with senior care solutions. With population ageing accelerating globally, what some in Korea call "age-tech" is emerging as a new growth engine. Hosting such an exhibition would not only showcase Korea's technological leadership, alongside recent technological developments from other member economies, but also foster meaningful cross-border collaboration and industry growth. Another ambitious idea is the establishment of a joint fund for responding to population change, aimed at strengthening cooperation among APEC economies and supporting developing countries facing similar demographic pressures. Korea already has experience in hosting international organizations with the establishment of the Green Climate Fund and the Global Green Growth Institute to support sustainable development. Korea will be able to take the lead once again in designing a collective response to a defining long-term issue. The upcoming APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting — returning to Korea for the first time in two decades — represents a pivotal opportunity to revitalize the Korean economy and reaffirm its role in regional leadership. Its success is not only a national imperative but also a chance to help shape the global agenda. By proposing bold, forward-thinking initiatives that align with global trends and offer shared value, Korea can turn the historic city of Gyeongju into a global forum for demographic dialogue. If meaningful strategies emerge, the APEC 2025 will be remembered as one of the most impactful in APEC's history.
