Marcos, Trump to discuss tariff in Washington meeting

The Philippine government is hoping to have a mutually acceptable and beneficial tariff deal with the United States amid the visit of President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. to Washington, D.C. next week.

This was mentioned by Department of Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Raquel Solano during a Palace press briefing. 

''We hope, of course, to arrive at a bilateral trade agreement or a deal on the reciprocal trade that is mutual acceptable, mutually beneficial for both our countries. So, that is something that we look forward to getting from the visit and, of course, during the meeting with US President,'' she said.

She mentioned that the steep 20% tariff rate on Filipino goods entering the US would be tackled during the President's bilateral meeting with American counterpart Donald Trump.

''During the visit, the two leaders will discuss closer cooperation in economic, defense and security matters of common interest. As you are all aware, the President’s official visit also aims to address the US tariff proposed to be levied on Philippine exports,'' Solano said.

''The two presidents are also expected to discuss regional and international issues of common concern and how to further strengthen people-to-people ties,'' she added.

Solano also said regional issues and concerns would be discussed as well.

The purpose of this visit is to strengthen the alliance between Manila and Washington and to proactively engage the US in all aspects of the relations, as well as to seize opportunities for greater security and economic cooperation. 

''We will continue to underscore that for the Philippines to be a truly strong partner for the United States, we need to be stronger economically as well,'' Solano said.

Aside from Trump, Marcos will have a meeting with US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio on July 21. 

Several businesses in the US also expressed their intention to meet with the Philippine leader, Solano said.

Marcos will also invite Trump to attend the East-Asia Summit as the Philippines will host the ASEAN Summit in 2026.

''Coincidentally, our two countries will mark 80 years of our diplomatic relations and 75 years of the alliance next year and it will be an auspicious time for President Trump to come to Manila,'' Solano said.

Marcos will be leaving Manila on Sunday, July 20.

The cabinet secretaries who will join Marcos include Secretary of Foreign Affairs Maria Theresa Lazaro, Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro Jr., Secretary of Trade and Investments Christina Roque, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año, Acting Presidential Communications Office Secretary Dave Gomez, Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Frederick Go, and Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez. —VAL, GMA Integrated News