July 11, 2025
MANILA – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and United States President Donald Trump are set to have their first bilateral meeting in Washington “in a few days,” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said.
Rubio announced this on Thursday after a meeting with Philippine and Japanese counterparts at the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations ministerial meetings in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
“We look forward to hosting the President of the Philippines in Washington in a few days,” he said.
The Presidential Communications Office has yet to issue further details about the trip.
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At a Palace briefing on Thursday, Secretary Frederick Go, special assistant to Marcos for investment and economic affairs, said the trade officials will leave for the US next week to negotiate a better deal on the higher-than-expected 20-percent reciprocal tariff to be imposed starting next month.
READ: Philippine delegation heads to US to negotiate tariffs
He did not disclose whether Marcos would join the trip.
Marcos, in his congratulatory message for Trump’s victory at the US elections last January, said he was eager to work with Trump’s administration.
“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,” Marcos said in a statement.
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“The strong and lasting PH-US alliance will continue to uphold our shared vision of prosperity and security in the region,” he added.
Meanwhile, on November 19 last year, Marcos had a “friendly” and “productive” call with Trump, where he expressed the Philippines’ desire to further deepen its ties with the US.