TRUMP-MARCOS MEETING

United States President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that a new trade deal has been reached with the Philippines, which will see a 19 percent tariff rate imposed on Philippine goods exported to the US, while US goods will face zero tariffs. The announcement came via his social media platform Truth Social, shortly after his meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the White House.

“We concluded our Trade Deal, whereby The Philippines is going OPEN MARKET with the United States,” Trump posted on Truth Social, welcoming President Marcos to the White House.

The 19 percent tariff rate is slightly lower than the 20 percent rate Trump had threatened earlier this month but remains above the 17 percent reciprocal tariff rate he initially announced in April for various countries. This new rate matches the 19 percent tariff set for Indonesia and and is marginally better than Vietnam’s 20 percent. Last year, the US recorded a trade deficit of nearly $5 billion with the Philippines on bilateral goods trade totaling $23.5 billion.

President Marcos, the first Southeast Asian leader to meet Trump in his second term, emphasized the strong alliance between the two nations at the start of their meeting. He told reporters that the US was his country’s “strongest, closest, most reliable ally.” President Trump also highlighted the importance of the US-Philippine military relationship, stating, “They’re a very important nation militarily, and we’ve had some great drills lately.”

Last week, Philippine Assistant Foreign Secretary Raquel Solano indicated that trade officials from both countries had been working towards sealing a “mutually acceptable and mutually beneficial” deal.

As President Marcos arrived in Washington, D.C. on Monday, protesters gathered near the White House. They called on the Philippine leader to address the concerns of Filipino Americans and migrant workers, who have reportedly made multiple requests for support amid recent US immigration raids.

During his visit, President Marcos also met with US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday. Philippine officials stated that Marcos planned to underscore the necessity for Manila to become economically stronger to serve as a truly robust partner to the US in the Asia Pacific region.