Marcos heads to US to discuss tariff, security with Trump

Metro Manila, Philippines - President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. left the Philippines for Washington on Sunday, July 20, to meet US President Donald Trump at the White House.

He will discuss the controversial tariff and security concerns with Trump during his two-day official visit.

The Philippine leader’s top agenda is to discuss the US’ 20-percent tariff on Philippine exports. Marcos will push for a trade deal that would be mutually beneficial for both nations.

“We will see how much progress we can make when it comes to the negotiations with the United States concerning the changes that we would like to institute so as to be able to alleviate the effects of a very severe tariff schedule on the Philippines," Marcos said in his pre-departure speech.

The president’s sister, Senator Imee Marcos, told him to ensure that the country’s interests will be protected in the trade dialogue.

“As a sovereign country, the tariff agreement with the US should also be reciprocal. The US does not seem to regard us as a sovereign state, nor can we see the value of any so-called treaty allies any longer,” the senator said in a statement.

Aside from trade, Marcos will also lobby for strengthened defense cooperation, maritime security, and investment opportunities.

The president is also set to engage with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.

Marcos’ Washington visit is the first after Trump’s inauguration. The Philippine president said it is the first heard-of-state visit from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

The country’s caretakers during Marcos’ visit are Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, and Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III.