KUALA LUMPUR: Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr will meet US President Donald Trump in Washington this month, Manila’s high diplomat mentioned on Friday (Jul 11), with an elevated commerce tariff on considered one of Washington’s high defence allies set to be mentioned.
Philippine international minister Theresa Lazaro, in an interview throughout a regional summit in Malaysia, confirmed the association of what would be the first assembly between Trump and Marcos, whose nations have stepped up navy engagements considerably of late.
“The problem of tariffs will probably be mentioned amongst others … it’s additionally crucial to us. We’ve got already despatched negotiators to debate this difficulty,” Lazaro instructed Reuters on Friday.
A White Home official earlier instructed Reuters the assembly was set for Jul 22, whereas the workplace of Marcos mentioned he’ll go to the US from Jul 20 to 22.
The Philippines is anxious over a 20 per cent tariff fee announced this week by Trump, which was elevated from 17 per cent threatened in April, with out clarification. The US items commerce deficit with the Philippines widened to US$4.9 billion in 2024, a 21.8 per cent improve from 2023.
The Philippines has mentioned it stays dedicated to persevering with negotiations, and a delegation will journey to Washington subsequent week to pursue a commerce deal.
Relations between Manila and Washington have soared underneath Marcos, who has pivoted nearer to the US and allowed American troopers to broaden their presence at Philippine amenities. The previous US colony is central to Washington’s efforts to counter China’s assertiveness within the South China Sea and in the direction of Taiwan.
The US and the Philippines have a seven-decade-old mutual defence treaty and maintain dozens of annual workout routines, which have included testing of a US Typhon missile system, angering China.
