Marcos, Trump speak by phone; US President to raise PH concerns with China's Xi

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and US President Donald Trump spoke by phone on Thursday to discuss global economic and security issues, including recent developments in the South China Sea.

According to the Presidential Communications Office, the call followed Marcos' meeting in Malacañang on Wednesday with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, during which the Philippine leader briefed the top US diplomat on recent incidents in the South China Sea.

US Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Lipton also announced the conversation between the two leaders in a social media post.

“Pleased to announce that, this evening, President Donald J. Trump spoke with President Bongbong Marcos. One of my goals as U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines is to ensure our two leaders are regularly in touch with each other. Great things ahead!" Lipton said.

During the call, Trump assured Marcos that he would raise the Philippines' concerns in his next meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Communications Secretary Dave Gomez said.

The Palace did not immediately provide additional details on the discussion or indicate when Trump's meeting with Xi is expected to take place. —LDF, GMA News