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Trump to host Marcos Jr. for talks on tariffs, China
US President Donald Trump will meet Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the White House on Tuesday as both nations look to deepen security and trade ties amid rising tensions with China in the Indo-Pacific.
Marcos, currently on a three-day U.S. visit, already met with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Monday. He becomes the first Southeast Asian leader to visit Trump in his second term.
With China's increasing aggression in the South China Sea — particularly around Scarborough Shoal — defense and economic cooperation are expected to top the agenda. Trump has threatened a 20% tariff on Philippine goods starting August 1 unless a new bilateral trade agreement is reached.
Marcos has signaled Manila's readiness to negotiate a mutually beneficial deal, potentially offering zero tariffs on certain U.S. products. The White House has indicated trade talks are underway.
Defense Secretary Hegseth reaffirmed America’s commitment to the mutual defense treaty, while Marcos highlighted growing cooperation, especially in joint military drills and modernization efforts, reports UNB.