Latest news with #Typhon
The Diplomat
5 days ago
- Business
- The Diplomat
What Marcos Got From His Meeting With President Trump
The Philippine president has come under fire for opening the country to U.S. imports without getting much in return. The United States has announced that it will lower its tariff rate for the Philippines from 20 percent to 19 percent. In exchange, the Philippines will open its market to the U.S. and some U.S. goods like automobiles will have a zero tariff rate. This is what U.S. President Donald Trump posted on his social media platform after meeting Philippine President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. at the White House. Marcos confirmed this in a media briefing and immediately assured the public that the deal would benefit the Philippine economy. 'Now, one percent might seem like a very small concession,' he said. 'However when you put it in real terms, it is a significant achievement.' The Philippine ambassador to the U.S. added that the tariff reduction announcement would lead to more trade negotiations. 'The lowering of tariff to 19 percent is a good deal for the moment, but there is still more that we can do and that there will still be more discussions ahead,' he said. The Philippines was initially given a 17 percent tariff rate before Trump raised it to 20 percent. Marcos flew to the U.S. with the intention of negotiating for a better trade agreement by banking on the good relations of the two countries. Since becoming president in 2022, Marcos has allowed the establishment of four more U.S. military facilities in the Philippines under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA). He has expanded the joint military exercises involving the U.S. and its allies in the region. He also agreed to the deployment of U.S.-made Typhon and other missile systems in the Philippines. Before the Marcos-Trump meeting, Philippine defense officials reported the establishment of a U.S. naval repair facility in Palawan province and an ammunition factory at Subic Bay, a former U.S. military base. News of the results of the trade negotiations angered several Philippine legislators. Act Teachers Partylist Representative Tonchi Tinio described Marcos's trip to the U.S. as a 'disastrous humiliation ritual.' Senator Ping Lacson said 'it is the worst insult that a host can throw at his guest.' He added, 'it is time for us to look for other trade partners.' Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri compared the one percent tariff rate reduction to the more favorable terms Japan got from Trump. 'If the United States truly sees us as a treaty ally, we should be accorded the same level of mutual respect in trade policy,' he said. He also mentioned that Indonesia was given a similar trade concession. 'We have a similar trade arrangement with Indonesia, which is not even a treaty ally and does not host U.S. forces or EDCA sites,' he said in a statement. 'The least we could have done was to negotiate terms on par with what Japan enjoys, a fellow U.S. treaty ally.' Senator Francis Pangilinan is worried that the zero tariff for U.S. goods will gravely affect local producers. 'If implemented without careful consideration, a zero tariff policy will disadvantage our farmers and fisherfolk, and put in peril our work toward food security and national development.' But House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, a cousin of Marcos, enjoined the public to rally behind the gains made by the president. 'Access to the U.S. market is a game-changer,' he asserted. 'What matters is that President Marcos secured a seat at the table, and the terms of engagement can be shaped from here.' Marcos' arrival statement mentioned the trade and security deals he clinched in the U.S., including investment pledges that would create jobs and livelihood opportunities, but there was no mention of the tariff rate reduction and the zero tariff he offered to the United States. Perhaps details of the trade negotiations and other important matters that transpired during his meeting with Trump will be released in the next few days, leading up to his fourth state of the nation address on July 28. It is not just the tariff deal that Marcos has to explain to the public. The more serious problem facing the country at the moment is the flooding disaster in the capital region and nearby provinces. Several cities are still submerged in floods, with disgruntled citizens asking about the flood control projects mentioned by Marcos in his state of the nation address last year. Marcos was unable to directly oversee the disaster response of the government in the past few days since he was on an official visit to the United States to meet with Trump. Some critics are wondering if the trip he made was really worthwhile since he got a measly tariff deal despite giving away substantial concessions.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
The US Army fired its new missile system that rattles China in a Western Pacific first. It found its target and sank it.
The US Army fired a Standard Missile-6 from its Mid-Range Capability, or Typhon, system in Australia. The successful live-fire test sank a maritime target. The MRC's deployment in the region has previously and repeatedly irritated China. The US Army fired its new MRC missile system in the Western Pacific for the first time, striking and sinking a maritime target. The Mid-Range Capability, or Typhon, missile system drew China's ire during a previous deployment, with Beijing repeatedly warning that its presence risks escalating tensions. The Army sees the weapon as an essential strike asset that closes a critical capability gap in the region. The Army said on Tuesday that the 3rd Multi-Domain Task Force successfully fired a Standard Missile-6 using the versatile MRC launcher and sank an unspecified sea target. The test occurred earlier this month during the joint Talisman Sabre exercise in northern Australia. The service said it was the first time the land-based MRC had been fired west of the international date line, which splits the Pacific Ocean. "The deployment of the MRC and successful execution of a [Standard Missile-6] live fire against a maritime target is another significant step forward in our ability to deploy, integrate, and command and control advanced land-based maritime strike capabilities," Col. Wade Germann, commander of the 3rd MDTF, said. While this was the first live test of the MRC in the region, it has been deployed there before, notably during a joint exercise with the Philippines last year. The MRC is a high-value system for the Army, filling both a capability and range gap by providing a flexible way to fire both the SM-6s and the Tomahawk Land Attack Missile. The MRC's development followed the 2019 US withdrawal from the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty over concerns about Russian violations. The treaty banned nuclear and conventional ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles with ranges of 500 to 5,000 kilometers. The withdrawal, overseen by the first Trump administration and driven by Moscow's SSC-8/9M729 missile, opened the door to the development of previously banned weapons. When the MRC was first deployed to the Philippines, China was quick to express its frustration. In September of last year, Lin Jian, a spokesperson for China's foreign military, called the deployment "a move to turn back the wheel of history," adding that "it gravely threatens regional countries' security, incites geopolitical confrontation, and has aroused high vigilance and concerns of countries in the region." Earlier last year, he said that Beijing "strongly opposes the US strengthening forward deployment at China's doorstep." China notably maintains a large arsenal of ballistic missiles, including many intermediate-range systems able to threaten US and allied forces in the region. China also expressed its irritation to the Philippines last year. In August 2024, Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo said that his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, had expressed concerns the weapon could destabilize the security and relations of the region and that when they discussed it, China "made it very dramatic." China has warned Manila against igniting an arms race. Beijing has said the Philippines, a key US ally, is serving American interests to the detriment of its own. Manila has expressed interest in the MRC's capabilities as a useful combat capability. China's US embassy didn't immediately respond to BI's request for comment on the test. The MRC is a work in progress for the Army, which is still exploring how best to employ it. During the MRC's deployment to the Philippines, US personnel also tinkered with and reworked the system in the field, according to a Government Accountability Office report earlier this year, providing user input that led to "multiple design changes." The test of the MRC in Australia, the Army said, validated the ability to forward deploy long-range precision fires. It also, Germann added, provided valuable insights and lessons for future land-based maritime strike capabilities. Mobile launchers with the ability to strike targets on land and at sea have tremendous potential in Pacific combat. Read the original article on Business Insider
Business Insider
6 days ago
- Politics
- Business Insider
The US Army fired its new missile system that rattles China in a Western Pacific first. It found its target and sank it.
The US Army fired its new MRC missile system in the Western Pacific for the first time, striking and sinking a maritime target. The Mid-Range Capability, or Typhon, missile system drew China's ire during a previous deployment, with Beijing repeatedly warning that its presence risks escalating tensions. The Army sees the weapon as an essential strike asset that closes a critical capability gap in the region. The Army said on Tuesday that the 3rd Multi-Domain Task Force successfully fired a Standard Missile-6 using the versatile MRC launcher and sank an unspecified sea target. The test occurred earlier this month during the joint Talisman Sabre exercise in northern Australia. The service said it was the first time the land-based MRC had been fired west of the international date line, which splits the Pacific Ocean. "The deployment of the MRC and successful execution of a [Standard Missile-6] live fire against a maritime target is another significant step forward in our ability to deploy, integrate, and command and control advanced land-based maritime strike capabilities," Col. Wade Germann, commander of the 3rd MDTF, said. While this was the first live test of the MRC in the region, it has been deployed there before, notably during a joint exercise with the Philippines last year. The MRC is a high-value system for the Army, filling both a capability and range gap by providing a flexible way to fire both the SM-6s and the Tomahawk Land Attack Missile. The MRC's development followed the 2019 US withdrawal from the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty over concerns about Russian violations. The treaty banned nuclear and conventional ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles with ranges of 500 to 5,000 kilometers. The withdrawal, overseen by the first Trump administration and driven by Moscow's SSC-8/9M729 missile, opened the door to the development of previously banned weapons. When the MRC was first deployed to the Philippines, China was quick to express its frustration. In September of last year, Lin Jian, a spokesperson for China's foreign military, called the deployment "a move to turn back the wheel of history," adding that "it gravely threatens regional countries' security, incites geopolitical confrontation, and has aroused high vigilance and concerns of countries in the region." Earlier last year, he said that Beijing "strongly opposes the US strengthening forward deployment at China's doorstep." China notably maintains a large arsenal of ballistic missiles, including many intermediate-range systems able to threaten US and allied forces in the region. China also expressed its irritation to the Philippines last year. In August 2024, Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo said that his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, had expressed concerns the weapon could destabilize the security and relations of the region and that when they discussed it, China "made it very dramatic." China has warned Manila against igniting an arms race. Beijing has said the Philippines, a key US ally, is serving American interests to the detriment of its own. Manila has expressed interest in the MRC's capabilities as a useful combat capability. China's US embassy didn't immediately respond to BI's request for comment on the test. The MRC is a work in progress for the Army, which is still exploring how best to employ it. During the MRC's deployment to the Philippines, US personnel also tinkered with and reworked the system in the field, according to a Government Accountability Office report earlier this year, providing user input that led to "multiple design changes." The test of the MRC in Australia, the Army said, validated the ability to forward deploy long-range precision fires. It also, Germann added, provided valuable insights and lessons for future land-based maritime strike capabilities. Mobile launchers with the ability to strike targets on land and at sea have tremendous potential in Pacific combat.
Reuters
18-07-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Philippines' Marcos to discuss trade and security during U.S. visit as tariffs loom
MANILA, July 18 (Reuters) - 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. 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 U.S. tariffs on Philippine exports. "The President's official visit also aims to address the U.S. 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% this month from the 17% threatened in April. Talks between Philippine trade officials and their U.S. 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 U.S. 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 U.S. Typhon missile system, and more recently with the NMESIS anti-ship missile system, angering China. Marcos will also meet separately with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, as well as U.S. business leaders who are investing in the Philippines.
The Star
18-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Marcos to discuss trade and security during US visit as tariffs loom
MANILA: Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr (pic) 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 (July 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% this month from the 17% 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. Marcos will also meet separately with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, as well as US business leaders who are investing in the Philippines. - Reuters
