Trump-Marcos Meeting

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and  U.S President Donald Trump agreed on trade deals that saw The Philippines having a 19% Tariff, a 1% cut from the original proposed 20%. The Tariff was said to be in effect on August 1. Trump claimed that the Philippines “is going open market with the United States with zero tariffs,” but Marcos Jr. clarified that the zero tariff rate will only be imposed on certain products such as automobiles. President Marcos Jr. clarified that the zero tariff rate will only be imposed on certain products such as automobiles.

“There were certain markets that they asked to be opened that are presently not opened,” “Like automobiles. We will open that market and no longer charge tariffs on that.” As stated by President Marcos Jr.

A 30 percent tariff on automobiles that can seat up to 10 people, while a 20 percent tariff is imposed on imported buses and trucks, as imposed by The Philippines.

President Marcos arrived Monday morning, July 21 (Manila time), in Washington, DC. The meeting with U.S President Trump at the White House was held on July 22 (DC time).

The meeting of the two World Leaders was to “further strengthen the Philippines-United States alliance, to proactively engage the US in all aspect of the relations and seize opportunities for greater security and economic cooperation,” according to the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

Trump mentioned that President Marcos was a “very tough” negotiator, during their first official meeting in the White House, and that it was a “great honor” for U.S President Trump to meet President Marcos Jr. As described by Trump that Marcos Jr. “is highly respected in his country as he should be”.

Before the meeting with Trump, President Marcos Jr. Had a meeting with key Cabinet officials of the 2nd Trump Administration, U.S Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and U.S Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Besides trade, another important discussion was the issue of Defense, security and stability of the Asia-Pacific Region. Trump and Marcos agreed on strengthening the U.S-Philippine alliance, as The Philippines is the oldest treaty allied of the United States in Asia. Both countries have a Mutual Defense Treaty since 1951that was described as “Iron Clad”.

In a press conference, President Marcos Jr. Defended on having U.S Missiles as President Marcos Jr. Told reporters that “all of what would be considered part of the modernization of the Philippine military, is really as a response to the circumstances that surround the situation” and that the U.S is just “assisting” The Philippines in terms of Defense.

The relationship between the U.S and The Philippines has been called a “Special Relationship”. As both countries still look to strengthen the alliance, especially amid rising  Global tensions.

– Gillian Paul Abayon