17-07-2025
Marcos to seek greater economic cooperation, reaffirm US alliance in Trump meeting
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. wants to expand economic cooperation and reaffirm the Philippines' defense aliiance with the United States when he meets President Donald Trump in Washington next week, as Manila hopes to strike a trade deal with America on a steep 20% tariff rate on Filipino goods entering the US.
Ahead of the first Marcos-Trump summit, Manila sent a trade delegation to the US to continue negotiations after the Trump administration increased its tariff on the Philippines to 20% from 17% unless a deal is reached.
"President Marcos will visit Washington D.C. on 20-22 July 2025 to reaffirm the Philippines' commitment to its alliance with the US, explore opportunities for greater security and economic cooperation, and discuss regional and international issues of common concern," Philippine Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez said in a statement from Washington.
Romualdez did not elaborate, but told GMA News Online in a separate message, that "sensitive matters will likely be discussed." Aside from an in-person meeting with Trump, Marcos will have several engagements with key US officials and business leaders during his visit, Romualdez added.
Marcos, the first Southeast Asian leader invited by Trump to Washington, will stay at the historic Blair House across the White House on Pennsylvania Avenue during his three-day visit.
Heads of states and governments are only invited to the famous guest house "at the pleasure of the President."
The famous residence has hosted notable world leaders, including Queen Elizabeth II and Nelson Mandela, according to the White House website.
The Philippines and US have increased their maritime cooperative activities and joint military exercises and expanded this with like-minded nations, such as Japan and Australia, amid an increasingly assertive China in the South China Sea.
Analysts fear that worsening incidents in the waters where the Philippines and China have overlapping claims could spark a major armed confrontation that could involve the US, Manila's defense treaty ally.
The US has repeatedly said it would come to the Philippines' aid if Filipino forces, ships or aircraft come under attack anywhere in South China Sea under a 1951 mutual defense treaty.
Although not a party to the disputes, Washington declared it is in its national interest to ensure that there is a rule of law and unfettered access to the strategic waters. —LDF, GMA Integrated News
