US President Donald Trump on Tuesday (July 22) announced a new trade agreement with the Philippines after a high -level meeting in the White House with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Trumpa by announcement through a contribution to Truth Social and described the agreement as an important step towards economic cooperation.
“President Ferdinand Marcos of the Philippines is just leaving the White House … We have concluded our business agreement, while the Philippines become an open market and zero tariffs,” Trump wrote.
He added that the Philippines would pay 19% tariff. Trump also emphasized the bilateral military component: “In addition, we will cooperate militarily … He (Marcos Jr.) is also a very good and hard, negotiator.”
Balance of relations between US and China
During their oval office interaction, both leaders dealt with concern about how the Philippines would handle their diplomatic relationship with Washington and Beijing.
Trump reduced the potential tension and referred to a personal invitation from Chinese President Xi Jinping:
“I don’t mind if we are very well with China with China.”
Marcos Jr. He reaffirmed the commitment to the Philippines for a long -term alliance with the United States and was looking for a wider regional partnership: “Our strongest partner has always been the United States… But we try to create coalitions and versatile relations.”
American rocket raises questions
Both leaders were also asked whether the presence of US missiles in the Philippines would be perceived as provocative. Trump suggested that previous tensions were caused by a shift under the former Philippine President and indicated policies friendly to China Rodrigo Duterte: “You had a country that leaned towards China for some time … When I chose, everything changed and returned to us.”
Marcos Jr. He framed the deployment of missiles as part of a wider military modernization plan and reaffirmed the importance of national defense:
“Any kind of military expenditure would like it not necessary, but it is … The United States helps the Philippines in what we call our defensive program of self -confidence.”
Military and economic harmonization
Both leaders emphasized their common interest in strengthening economic ties and defensive cooperation in the middle of the growing geopolitical tension in the Asian-Tichorate region. The White House meeting comes in a time of increased Chinese assertiveness in the South China Sea, where the US and the Philippines called for open sea streets and orders based on rules.
(Tagstotranslate) United States Filipin Trade (T) President Donald Trump (T) President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
