BUTUAN CITY- President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. met today with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House, marking a pivotal moment in Philippines–U.S. relations.
Both leaders reaffirmed the strong and enduring partnership between their countries, with Trump commending Marcos as a “strong negotiator,” particularly in ongoing trade discussions.
A key focus of the talks was the 20% reciprocal tariff recently imposed by the U.S. on Philippine goods, with Marcos advocating for a fairer trade arrangement to boost exports.
The two also discussed enhancing defense cooperation, including strengthening the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine Coast Guard, the potential deployment of additional U.S. military assets in the region, and continued support for the Balikatan joint military exercises.
They addressed regional security concerns, particularly maritime security in the West Philippine Sea and overall Indo-Pacific stability.
Marcos also extended an invitation to Trump to attend the 2026 East Asia Summit.
Today’s meeting marked Marcos as the first ASEAN leader to visit Trump since his return to office and laid the groundwork for next year’s milestone celebrations: 80 years of diplomatic relations and 75 years of alliance between the Philippines and the United States.
