US President Donald Trump was hosted by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. In the White House on Tuesday, July 22, because the United States and the Philippines place strategic and economic cooperation in the middle of the growing regional tension, especially with China.
Marcos became the first leader of Southeast Asia to visit the White House since Trump’s re -election. The three -day state visit included meetings with the best American officials such as Foreign Minister Marco Rubio and Defense Minister Pete HegSeth.
Trump told reporters: “We are very close to completing a business agreement-insertion of a large business agreement,” signaling potential progress in the long-awaited bilateral agreement.
Marcos expressed strong support for the alliance and called the US-Filippine relationship “as an important relationship as you can”.
When Marcos asked about the balance of links between Washington and Beijing, he emphasized the Philippine sovereignty: “There is no need to cope because our foreign policy is independent,” he said.
“Our strongest partner has always been the United States.”
Business interviews and tariff threats are being built
The shop was high on the agenda. Trump threatened to save 20% of tariffs on the Philippine goods from August 1, unless a bilateral agreement is reached.
“I intend to tell President Trump and his cabinet officials that the Philippines are ready to negotiate a bilateral trade agreement that will ensure a strong, mutually beneficial and future cooperation,” Marcos told Manila before his departure.
Minister of the Philippine Finance Ralph Ralph Ralph said that the country is open to zero tariffs for certain American goods in exchange for agreement.
Shared Defense objectives in Indo-Pacific
In the notes Monday Defense Minister Pete HegSeth reaffirmed the US support in the Philippines under the Mutual Defense Treaty.
“Our turbulent alliance has never been stronger or more important than it is today,” HegSeth said.
“This pact applies to armed attacks on our armed forces, aircraft or public vessels, including our coastline anywhere in the Pacific, including the South China Sea.”
Marcos replied by reaffirming Manila’s commitment to the alliance: “This certainty remains the cornerstone of this relationship, especially in terms of defensive and security cooperation.”
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Chinese actions add urgency to conversations
The tension in the South China Sea was a key background for the visit. The Chinese Coast Guard has repeatedly used water cannons on the Philippines in questionable waters and raised international concerns.
The White House said Trump-Marcos’s discussion emphasized the shared vision for “free, open, prosperous and safe indo-pacifik”.
Hegset, in May, warned that “China represents a threat” and the US “reorientate to discourage the aggression of communist China”.
Diplomatic orders with Beijing continue
Despite growing friction, the US remains open to dialogue with China. Rubio met with the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the beginning of this month in Kuala Lumpur, where both parties agreed to manage tension and search for areas for cooperation.
Meanwhile, Marcos’ meeting with Rubius in Washington has strengthened the obligation of both nations to “maintain peace and stability” in the region, according to the Foreign Ministry.
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