MANILA. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is set to meet U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington later this month to discuss key issues, including a recent increase in U.S. trade tariffs on Philippine exports, Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa Lazaro confirmed on Friday.
In an interview during a regional summit in Kuala Lumpur, Lazaro said the meeting will be the first between Marcos and Trump, and comes amid strengthening military ties between the Philippines and the United States.
“The issue of tariffs will be discussed, among others… it’s also very important to us. We have already sent negotiators to discuss this issue,” Lazaro told Reuters.
According to a White House official, the meeting is scheduled for July 22. Malacañang also confirmed that Marcos will visit the U.S. from July 20 to 22.
The Philippines is seeking clarification and resolution following Trump’s recent move to impose a 20% tariff on certain imports from Manila, up from the 17% initially threatened in April. No explanation has been provided for the increase. In 2024, the U.S. goods trade deficit with the Philippines widened to $4.9 billion, a 21.8% increase from the previous year.
Despite concerns, Lazaro said the Philippine government remains committed to trade negotiations and will send a delegation to Washington next week to pursue a potential deal.
Under President Marcos, the Philippines has aligned more closely with the U.S., expanding military cooperation and allowing American troops greater access to local military bases. The Philippines, a former U.S. colony, plays a central role in Washington’s strategy to counter China’s assertive actions in the South China Sea and Taiwan.
This realignment has drawn criticism from Beijing, which has accused both Manila and Washington of provoking regional tensions. The two countries, however, maintain a Mutual Defense Treaty signed more than seven decades ago, and recently conducted joint military exercises, including tests of the U.S. Typhon missile system, a move that angered China.
Meanwhile, Lazaro also addressed ongoing negotiations for a code of conduct between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China. She said the talks are progressing too slowly, and that the Philippines will push for a legally binding agreement when it chairs ASEAN next year.
“It is our view that it should not be taking so long. It is important that we have to deliver,” she said, urging China and other parties to complete negotiations by 2026.
On the situation in Myanmar, Lazaro stated that any planned elections by the military government would only be considered valid if they are inclusive and conducted peacefully, amid the country’s ongoing civil conflict.
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