Latest news with #RaquelSolano
CNA
18-07-2025
- Business
- CNA
Philippines' Marcos to discuss trade and security during US visit as tariffs loom
MANILA: Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr will visit the United States next week with a clear message to President Donald Trump that the Philippines must become economically stronger if it is to serve as a truly robust partner, an official said on Friday (Jul 18). The visit, the first by an ASEAN head of state since Trump took office in January, will focus on economic cooperation, with Marcos expected to discuss concerns over proposed US tariffs on Philippine exports. "The President's official visit also aims to address the US tariff proposed to be levied on Philippine exports," Department of Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Raquel Solano told a media briefing. Trump raised reciprocal tariffs on Philippine exports to 20 per cent this month from the 17 per cent threatened in April. Talks between Philippine trade officials and their US counterparts are ongoing in Washington to hopefully seal a reciprocal deal that is "mutually acceptable and mutually beneficial" for both countries, Solano said. During the visit, the two leaders will also discuss closer cooperation in defence and security matters, including issues in the South China Sea where Manila and Beijing have had a series of maritime confrontations. Relations between Manila and Beijing have soured under Marcos, who has pivoted closer to the United States, granting it expanded access to Philippine military bases as both countries aim to counter what they have described as China's assertiveness in the South China Sea and towards Taiwan. "The purpose of this visit is to further strengthen the Philippines-United States Alliance, to proactively engage the US in all aspects of the relations and seize opportunities for greater security and economic cooperation," Solano said. The United States and the Philippines have a seven-decade old mutual defence treaty and hold dozens of annual exercises, which have included training with US Typhon missile system, and more recently with the NMESIS anti-ship missile system, angering China.
GMA Network
18-07-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
PH hopes to get more US support in improving Coast Guard, Armed Forces
The Philippines is hoping to acquire more aid from the United States when it comes to improving the capabilities of the country's military sector and the Philippine Coast Guard, according to an official from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). ''Well, in the agenda of the meetings, there's going to be an exchange of views on regional issues and concerns. So, ultimately, this issue on the West Philippine Sea would be discussed,'' DFA Assistant Secretary Raquel Solano said in a briefing. ''And as to the possible agreements, well, we are hoping to secure the assistance or support of the US government in enhancing the capabilities of our AFP and the Coast Guard, in terms of the capabilities of our armed forces,'' she added. Marcos has since developed closer military and defense ties with the US to strengthen the country's external defense. To recall, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in a visit to Manila also reaffirmed the Trump administration's "iron-clad" commitment to its obligations under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, which obliges the allies to help defend one another in case of an external attack. Marcos will be leaving Manila for Washington on Sunday, July 20. The cabinet secretaries who will join Marcos include Secretary of Foreign Affairs Maria Theresa Lazaro, Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro Jr., Secretary of Trade and Investments Christina Roque, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año, Acting Presidential Communications Office Secretary Dave Gomez, Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Frederick Go, and Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez. — BAP, GMA Integrated News
South China Morning Post
18-07-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Philippines seeks economic strength as Marcos heads to US for Trump talks
The Philippines hopes to secure a trade agreement with the US when President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr discusses a planned US tariff during his meeting with President Donald Trump in Washington, according to a Manila official. Marcos will also seek to bolster US-Philippine security ties during his July 20-22 visit, Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for American Affairs Raquel Solano said at a briefing on Friday. The trip by Marcos, set to be the first Southeast Asian leader to visit Trump during his second presidency, comes after the Trump administration increased the tariff on Philippine goods to the US to 20 per cent from 17 per cent starting in August, raising concern from its long-time ally. Ahead of Marcos, Philippine government officials including Trade Secretary Cristina Roque flew to Washington this week for tariff talks. 'We hope of course to arrive at a bilateral trade agreement or a deal on reciprocal trade that is mutually acceptable, mutually beneficial for both our countries,' Solano said. The Philippines initially held trade talks with the US in May in its bid to lower an earlier threatened 17 per cent levy in April. To secure that, Roque had said Manila plans to increase imports of US farm goods, including soybeans and frozen meat, and boost exports of semiconductors, coconut and mango products to the US. 09:23 History, money and military: why the South China Sea is so important to Beijing History, money and military: why the South China Sea is so important to Beijing 'We will continue to underscore that for the Philippines to be a truly strong partner for the United States, we need to be stronger economically as well,' Solano said. Trump and Marcos will discuss 'closer cooperation in economic, defence and security matters of common interest,' she added.
