President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. departed for Washington, D.C., on Sunday for a three-day official visit aimed at reaffirming the Philippines’ enduring alliance with the United States and advancing key national interests.
Speaking at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City prior to his departure, President Marcos said the official visit to the United States is important because priority items for discussion include enhancing trade and economic cooperation, particularly in light of the recently imposed 20-percent U.S. tariff on Philippine exports.
“My visit to Washington, D.C., and most importantly, my meeting with President Trump, is essential to continuing to advance our national interests and strengthening our alliance,” President Marcos said.
“We will reaffirm our commitment to fostering our long-standing alliances as an instrument of peace and a catalyst of development in the Asia-Pacific region and around the world,” the President said.
The President said the visit builds on the active exchanges that the country has had since US President Donald Trump assumed office in January this year.
President Marcos said his top priority includes enhancing trade and economic cooperation, particularly in light of the recently imposed 20-percent U.S. tariff on Philippine exports.
“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,” the President said.
“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,” the President said.
During the visit, President Marcos is scheduled to meet with various business leaders to explore business opportunities that will help further stimulate the country’s economic growth.
President Marcos’ visit comes at the formal invitation of President Trump, making him the first head of state from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to be hosted by the U.S. leader since Trump assumed office in January this year. | PND
