Philippine President Set to Discuss Trade Tariffs with US Counterpart During Upcoming Meeting
Manila's top diplomat confirms meeting between Marcos Jr. and Trump; tariffs on defense allies to be discussed.
KUALA LUMPUR: Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is scheduled to meet with US President Donald Trump in Washington this month, as per confirmation by Manila’s top diplomat during a regional summit in Malaysia.
The meeting marks the first interaction between the two leaders since their nations have intensified military engagements.The trade issue, particularly concerning the increased tariff rate announced by Trump, will be among the topics of discussion.
The Philippine foreign minister, Theresa Lazaro, emphasized the significance of this matter and revealed that negotiators have already been dispatched to address it.Earlier, a White House official mentioned that the meeting is set for July 22, while Marcos’ office confirmed his visit to the US from July 20-22.
The Philippines expressed concern over the 20 percent tariff rate announced by Trump, which represents an increase from the previously threatened 17 percent in April without explanation.
This decision has been a point of contention as the trade deficit with the US has widened to $4.9 billion in 2024, marking a 21.8% increase compared to 2023.The Philippines remains committed to negotiating and has organized a delegation to travel to Washington next week for further discussions on a trade deal.
Under Marcos' leadership, the country has leaned closer towards the US and facilitated the expansion of American soldiers’ presence in Philippine facilities.
This development forms part of broader efforts by Washington to counter China’s assertiveness in the South China Sea and its stance toward Taiwan.
The mutual defense treaty between the US and the Philippines, dating back seven decades, has fostered numerous joint exercises, including the testing of a US Typhon missile system, which has drawn criticism from China.Marcos' approach to bolstering ties with the US and his defiant posture against China have angered Beijing, which accuses Manila and Washington of attempting to escalate tensions.
Lazaro also highlighted that ASEAN’s negotiation process with China regarding a code of conduct remains slow.
She stressed that the Philippines will advocate for expedited negotiations given its upcoming chairmanship of ASEAN next year and that the agreement should be legally binding.The ongoing tensions in the South China Sea, involving China and countries such as Vietnam and Malaysia, continue to strain diplomatic relations.
Beijing’s disputes with Manila have escalated amid frequent confrontations, raising concerns about potential conflict.
The meeting marks the first interaction between the two leaders since their nations have intensified military engagements.The trade issue, particularly concerning the increased tariff rate announced by Trump, will be among the topics of discussion.
The Philippine foreign minister, Theresa Lazaro, emphasized the significance of this matter and revealed that negotiators have already been dispatched to address it.Earlier, a White House official mentioned that the meeting is set for July 22, while Marcos’ office confirmed his visit to the US from July 20-22.
The Philippines expressed concern over the 20 percent tariff rate announced by Trump, which represents an increase from the previously threatened 17 percent in April without explanation.
This decision has been a point of contention as the trade deficit with the US has widened to $4.9 billion in 2024, marking a 21.8% increase compared to 2023.The Philippines remains committed to negotiating and has organized a delegation to travel to Washington next week for further discussions on a trade deal.
Under Marcos' leadership, the country has leaned closer towards the US and facilitated the expansion of American soldiers’ presence in Philippine facilities.
This development forms part of broader efforts by Washington to counter China’s assertiveness in the South China Sea and its stance toward Taiwan.
The mutual defense treaty between the US and the Philippines, dating back seven decades, has fostered numerous joint exercises, including the testing of a US Typhon missile system, which has drawn criticism from China.Marcos' approach to bolstering ties with the US and his defiant posture against China have angered Beijing, which accuses Manila and Washington of attempting to escalate tensions.
Lazaro also highlighted that ASEAN’s negotiation process with China regarding a code of conduct remains slow.
She stressed that the Philippines will advocate for expedited negotiations given its upcoming chairmanship of ASEAN next year and that the agreement should be legally binding.The ongoing tensions in the South China Sea, involving China and countries such as Vietnam and Malaysia, continue to strain diplomatic relations.
Beijing’s disputes with Manila have escalated amid frequent confrontations, raising concerns about potential conflict.
