Marcos, Trump to Tackle Closer Economic, Defense Ties – DFA

President Marcos will work on closer economic, defense, and security cooperation with the US during his meeting with US President Trump in Washington next week, an official of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said yesterday.

- HELEN FLORES

Marcos' US visit from July 20 to 22 was upon the invitation of Trump, according to DFA Assistant Secretary for American affairs Raquel Solano.

Marcos is the first head of state from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to be invited to visit the US and to hold a meeting with Trump since the latter took office earlier this year, she noted.

"I would surmise that since we have a long-standing treaty, alliance with the United States and we have special history with the US, that is something that is not totally surprising. So, I would think that the invitation for the President to visit is an affirmation of the regard that the United States has for the Philippines," Solano explained.

Marcos is scheduled to arrive in Washington in the afternoon of July 20 and is expected to be briefed by his Cabinet secretaries on the agenda of his meetings, Solano said.