Marcos flies to US; will push for stronger economic ties with Trump

President Marcos has left Manila for Washington in an attempt to engage United States President Donald Trump in trade talks as global tariffs loom.

- By BETHEENA UNITE and HANNAH TORREGOZA

Marcos left the Philippines on Sunday morning, July 20, for an official visit to Washington, D.C. upon the invitation of Trump.

His visit, Marcos said, "is essential" as he aims to reaffirm that his administration is ready to negotiate a strong and mutually-beneficial trade deal with the US.

"My top priority for this visit is to push for greater economic engagement, particularly through trade and investment between the Philippines and the United States, Marcos said in his departure speech.

11 "I intend to convey to President Trump and his Cabinet officials that the Philippines is ready to negotiate a bilateral trade deal that will ensure strong, mutually beneficial and future-oriented collaborations that only the United States and the Philippines will be able to take advantage of," he added.

The President said his visit builds on the active exchanges they have had since the assumption of the new Trump administration, including the various bilateral meetings between the secretary of Foreign Affairs, the US Secretary of State, the visit to Manila of the US Secretary of Defense in March, and the director of National Intelligence last month, as well as the visits of bipartisan US Congressional Delegations.

"My visit to Washington, D.C., and most importantly, my meeting with President Trump, is essential to continuing to advance our national interests and strengthening our alliance," he said.