MARCOS: PH READY TO NEGOTIATE ‘MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL’ TRADE WITH US

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Sunday expressed the Philippines’ readiness to engage in discussions toward a bilateral trade agreement with the United States, emphasizing the goal of fostering a strong, balanced, and mutually beneficial partnership between the two nations.

President Marcos departed for the United States on Sunday morning for an official visit scheduled to run until July 22.

“My top priority for this visit is to push for greater economic engagement, particularly through trade and investment between the Philippines and the United States,” President Marcos said in his departure statement at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.

“I intend to convey to President Trump and his Cabinet officials that the Philippines is ready to negotiate a bilateral trade deal that will ensure strong, mutually beneficial, and future-oriented collaborations that only the United States and the Philippines will be able to take advantage of.”

As with his previous foreign visits, the President said he looks forward to meeting with U.S. business leaders to explore opportunities that will further strengthen the Philippine economy.

In a Palace press briefing last Friday, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Assistant Secretary Raquel Solano said President Marcos and U.S. President Donald Trump are expected to hold substantive discussions on strengthening bilateral cooperation, particularly in the areas of security and economic development.

On top of the agenda is the proposed 20 percent U.S. tariff on Philippine exports, which the Marcos administration aims to address through constructive and mutually beneficial dialogue with the Trump administration.

The Philippines, Solano said, hopes to forge a bilateral trade agreement with the U.S. or a deal on reciprocal trade that is mutually acceptable and beneficial for both countries.

Aside from trade and investment, Solano said the leaders will discuss ways to enhance defense cooperation and maritime security, as well as efforts to maintain regional stability amid evolving geopolitical challenges.

President Marcos is scheduled to meet with President Trump on July 22 at the White House.

President Marcos is the first head of state from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) bloc to meet with President Trump since his return to office in January 2025, underscoring the continued strength of Philippines-U.S. relations.