U.S.-PHILIPPINES RELATIONS

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is expected to pay a visit to Washington, D.C. in the next few days, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio revealed on Thursday. The announcement was made by the top American diplomat during his recent engagements at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) foreign ministers’ meeting and related summits in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Rubio held a trilateral meeting with his Japanese and Filipino counterparts, Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya and Secretary Theresa Lazaro, where Marcos’ upcoming visit to the US was discussed. “We have a great relationship with Japan and the Philippines, and work very closely with them on the economic corridor, on maritime security, and territorial integrity—and continue to build upon that partnership, and look forward to hosting the president of the Philippines in Washington in a few days,” Rubio was quoted as saying.

The upcoming trip will mark the first bilateral meeting between President Marcos Jr. and United States President Donald Trump in Washington.

While the Presidential Communications Office has yet to issue further details about the trip, U.S. Embassy acting spokesman Glenda Wallace stated in a text message that while it will be soon and in Washington, “no dates have been announced, nor has any agenda.”

Meanwhile, at a Palace briefing on Thursday, Secretary Frederick Go, special assistant to Marcos for investment and economic affairs, confirmed that trade officials will leave for the U.S. next week to negotiate a better deal on the higher-than-expected 20-percent reciprocal tariff set to be imposed starting next month. Go, however, did not disclose whether President Marcos would join this specific trip.

President Marcos had previously expressed eagerness to work with the Trump administration following Trump’s victory in the U.S. elections last January. In a congratulatory message, Marcos stated, “Congratulations to POTUS @realdonaldtrump and to the American people on another peaceful transfer of power in their Nation’s nearly 250-year history. I look forward to working closely with you and your Administration.” He added that “The strong and lasting PH-US alliance will continue to uphold our shared vision of prosperity and security in the region.” This followed a “friendly” and “productive” call Marcos had with Trump on November 19 last year, where he conveyed the Philippines’ desire to further deepen its ties with the US.

Marcos previously visited Washington, D.C. in April 2024 to attend the first US-Philippines-Japan Trilateral Summit. That historic meeting, aimed at enhancing economic and maritime cooperation among the three countries, led to the launch of the Luzon Economic Corridor, a flagship program designed to develop key industrial and trade zones in Luzon.