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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Marcos to seek stronger trade, defense ties in US visit

Marcos to seek stronger trade, defense ties in US visit

Published Jul 18, 2025 02:42 pm

At A Glance

  • DFA Assistant Secretary Raquel Solano said the trip aims to strengthen the alliance and pursue opportunities for trade and defense cooperation between the two countries.
President Marcos will press for deeper economic and security cooperation with the United States during his official visit to Washington, D.C. from July 20 to 22, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. (Mark Balmores/File)
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. (Mark Balmores/File)
In a press briefing in Malacañan, DFA Assistant Secretary Raquel Solano said the trip aims to strengthen the alliance and pursue opportunities for trade and defense cooperation between the two countries.
“During the visit, the two leaders (Marcos and Trump) will discuss closer cooperation in economic, defense, and security matters of common interest,” she said.
“The President’s official visit also aims to address the US tariff proposed to be levied on Philippine exports. The two presidents are also expected to discuss regional and international issues of common concern and how to further strengthen people-to-people ties,” she added.
A top agenda item is addressing the 20 percent tariff imposed on Philippine exports to the US, which previously stood at 17 percent. A Philippine trade team is currently in Washington negotiating to lower the rate.
“We hope to arrive at a bilateral trade agreement or a deal on reciprocal trade that is mutually acceptable, mutually beneficial for both our countries,” she said.
Marcos is also set to meet with American business leaders already planning investments in the Philippines.
“The objective of the visit is also to strengthen economic cooperation with the US, and these meetings with the business leaders are part of it,” Solano said.
“We're interested, of course, in getting these potential investors to invest here in the country. These companies are already in the process of investing in the Philippines,” she added without disclosing the identities of the business leaders.

First ASEAN leader visit

President Marcos’ upcoming trip is at the invitation of US President Donald Trump. Solano said this makes Marcos the first ASEAN head of state to be invited to the US and meet Trump.
“Since we have a long-standing treaty alliance with the United States and we have a special history with the US, that is something that is not totally surprising,” she said.
“So I would think that the invitation for the President to visit is an affirmation of the regard that the United States has for the Philippines,” she added.

Defense and security priorities

Aside from his economic agenda, President Marcos will seek US support to enhance the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine Coast Guard’s capabilities. Discussions are expected to cover regional security issues, including the West Philippine Sea.
“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,” Solano said.
She added that existing agreements, such as the conduct of Balikatan exercises, may also be tackled, along with the possible deployment of US military assets in the region.

High-level schedule

The President’s itinerary includes meetings with US State Secretary Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on July 21, culminating in talks with President Trump at the White House on July 22.
Due to the tight schedule, there will be no meeting with the Filipino community in Washington, Solano said.
The DFA official added that Marcos will invite Trump to attend the East Asia Summit in Manila when the Philippines chairs the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2026. The visit comes ahead of two milestones next year: the 80th anniversary of PH-US diplomatic ties and the 75th year of the alliance.
“It will be an auspicious time for President Trump to come to Manila,” Solano said.
Upon his arrival in Washington on July 20, Marcos will be briefed by Cabinet secretaries on the agenda for his meetings. The cabinet secretaries include Foreign Affairs Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., Trade Secretary Christina Roque, the National Security Adviser Eduardo Año, Acting Communications Secretary Dave Gomez, Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Frederick Go, and Filipino Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez.

Related Tags

President Marcos Bongbong Marcos PH-US PBBM in Washington DFA Raquel Solano
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