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Arab News
42 minutes ago
- Business
- Arab News
Marcos flies to US to secure deal ahead of tariff policy
MANILA: Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. left for Washington, D.C. on Sunday for meetings with Donald Trump and his administration ahead of the implementation of US tariffs on Southeast Asian countries. Trump raised reciprocal tariffs on Philippine exports to 20 percent this month, up from the 17 percent initially threatened in April. Some other Southeast Asian nations, including Indonesia and Vietnam, were hit with over 30 percent rates, forcing them to step up negotiations. According to Trump's announcements, both countries agreed to zero tariffs on American exports, while accepting rates of 19 percent and 20 percent on their own goods, respectively. Marcos, whose visit will be the first by an ASEAN head of state since Trump took office in January, vowed to push for 'greater economic engagement' and focus on security and defense. '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 told reporters ahead of his departure from the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City. 'During this visit, we will reaffirm our commitment to fostering our long-standing alliances as an instrument of peace and a catalyst of development in the Asia-Pacific region and around the world.' Besides Trump, the Philippine president will also have a meeting with US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday. Philippine businesses were hoping that the fact that Marcos was the only ASEAN leader to negotiate the tariffs in person could offer some concessions for Washington's key security partner in Asia, which, under a decades-long alliance, allows the US to build and operate facilities on Philippine military bases. 'For Manila, this development, along with President Marcos being the first ASEAN leader invited for a state visit under the current Trump administration, enhanced the country's diplomatic profile and affirms its strategic relevance in the Indo-Pacific region,' Nunnatus Cortez, president of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry-Makati, told Arab News. 'The Philippine delegation would probably push for a bilateral agreement with the US, particularly on food security and semiconductors … We could only negotiate for a lower tariff than 20 percent. Difficult to get a zero percent tariff, as the latest news showed revenues from tariffs added close to $90 billion to the US in the first six months.'
CNA
2 days ago
- Business
- CNA
Philippines' Marcos to discuss trade and security during US visit as tariffs loom
MANILA: Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr will visit the United States next week with a clear message to President Donald Trump that the Philippines must become economically stronger if it is to serve as a truly robust partner, an official said on Friday (Jul 18). The visit, the first by an ASEAN head of state since Trump took office in January, will focus on economic cooperation, with Marcos expected to discuss concerns over proposed US tariffs on Philippine exports. "The President's official visit also aims to address the US tariff proposed to be levied on Philippine exports," Department of Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Raquel Solano told a media briefing. Trump raised reciprocal tariffs on Philippine exports to 20 per cent this month from the 17 per cent threatened in April. Talks between Philippine trade officials and their US counterparts are ongoing in Washington to hopefully seal a reciprocal deal that is "mutually acceptable and mutually beneficial" for both countries, Solano said. During the visit, the two leaders will also discuss closer cooperation in defence and security matters, including issues in the South China Sea where Manila and Beijing have had a series of maritime confrontations. Relations between Manila and Beijing have soured under Marcos, who has pivoted closer to the United States, granting it expanded access to Philippine military bases as both countries aim to counter what they have described as China's assertiveness in the South China Sea and towards Taiwan. "The purpose of this visit is to further strengthen the Philippines-United States Alliance, to proactively engage the US in all aspects of the relations and seize opportunities for greater security and economic cooperation," Solano said. The United States and the Philippines have a seven-decade old mutual defence treaty and hold dozens of annual exercises, which have included training with US Typhon missile system, and more recently with the NMESIS anti-ship missile system, angering China.
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Philippines' Marcos to discuss trade and security during U.S. visit as tariffs loom
FILE PHOTO: Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr attends the closing ceremony of the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and Related Summits and Handing Over of the ASEAN Chairmanship to Malaysia, at the National Convention Centre, in Vientiane, Laos, October 11, 2024. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha/File photo MANILA - Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr will visit the United States next week with a clear message to President Donald Trump that the Philippines must become economically stronger if it is to serve as a truly robust partner, an official said on Friday. The visit, the first by an ASEAN head of state since Trump took office in January, will focus on economic cooperation, with Marcos expected to discuss concerns over proposed U.S. tariffs on Philippine exports. "The President's official visit also aims to address the U.S. tariff proposed to be levied on Philippine exports," Department of Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Raquel Solano told a media briefing. Trump raised reciprocal tariffs on Philippine exports to 20% this month from the 17% threatened in April. Talks between Philippine trade officials and their U.S. counterparts are ongoing in Washington to hopefully seal a reciprocal deal that is "mutually acceptable and mutually beneficial" for both countries, Solano said. During the visit, the two leaders will also discuss closer cooperation in defence and security matters, including issues in the South China Sea where Manila and Beijing have had a series of maritime confrontations. Relations between Manila and Beijing have soured under Marcos, who has pivoted closer to the United States, granting it expanded access to Philippine military bases as both countries aim to counter what they have described as China's assertiveness in the South China Sea and towards Taiwan. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore 30% of aviation jobs could be redesigned due to AI, automation; $200m fund to support workers: CAAS Singapore Alleged Kpod peddler filmed trying to flee raid in Bishan charged with 6 offences Business Global fintech firms expanding in Singapore with larger offices, APAC hubs Singapore UOB awarded $17.7m in civil suit against Lippo Marina Collection over inflated housing loans Life Kinokuniya opens third bookstore in Raffles City, weeks ahead of schedule Business DBS shares rally to a new record as STI clocks yet another high Singapore 5 foreigners charged over scheme to deliberately get arrested in S'pore to sell sex drugs Life F1 Singapore Grand Prix: Music acts Lewis Capaldi, Clean Bandit, Spice Girls' Melanie C added "The purpose of this visit is to further strengthen the Philippines-United States Alliance, to proactively engage the U.S. in all aspects of the relations and seize opportunities for greater security and economic cooperation," Solano said. The United States and the Philippines have a seven-decade old mutual defence treaty and hold dozens of annual exercises, which have included training with U.S. Typhon missile system, and more recently with the NMESIS anti-ship missile system, angering China. Marcos will also meet separately with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, as well as U.S. business leaders who are investing in the Philippines. REUTERS
GMA Network
2 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
China issues 'alert' for citizens looking to study in PH
China on Friday issued an advisory urging its students to exercise caution when considering studying in the Philippines, citing a supposed surge of crimes targeting Chinese nationals. The warning issued by the Ministry of Education "advised students to carefully assess safety risks and to strengthen their awareness and precautions when considering pursuing study in the Philippines," according to a report by the Global Times, a state-owned Chinese media. The report said that "security situation in the Philippines has been unstable recently, with a surge in crimes targeting Chinese nationals." "Incidents involving local law enforcement harassing and inspecting Chinese nationals and enterprises have occurred frequently. Political gatherings, protests, and demonstrations have also become more common across the country, resulting in heightened security risks for Chinese nationals and institutions in the Philippines," the report posted online by the Chinese Embassy in Manila. GMA News Online has reached out to the Department of Foreign Affairs for comment, but it has yet to reply as of posting time. According to Global Times, Chinese nationals were asked by their government "to closely monitor local security developments, strengthen personal safety precautions and emergency preparedness, minimize unnecessary outings, and avoid political gatherings and crowded areas." "Chinese nationals are also advised to comply with local laws and regulations and remain alert to potential safety traps or scams," it added. Some lawmakers last year expressed concerns about the influx of Chinese students in the northern Philippine province of Cagayan, which hosts two military bases that can be used by American troops under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) between Manila and Washington. It was not clear how many Chinese nationals are enrolled in Philippine schools, but previous media reports said the number could be between 400 to 4,600. The Chinese embassy could not confirm this. The Philippines and China are locked in years-long territorial disputes over parts of the resource-rich South China Sea. Manila largely won a landmark case against China's massive claim in the South China Sea before an arbitration tribunal in The Hague, Netherlands, but Beijing does not recognize the ruling. The Philippines under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has sought to expand its alliances and upgrade its defense capabilities as it confronts an increasingly aggressive China in the waters, which has flared in recent years. The disputes also involve Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan. China's vast territorial claims in the waters have sparked tensions and violent confrontations with smaller claimants, like the Philippines and Vietnam. —Michaela Del Callar/ VAL, GMA Integrated News
NHK
3 days ago
- Politics
- NHK
Philippines, US hold maritime drills in South China Sea
The Philippines and the United States have conducted maritime drills in South China Sea waters claimed by Manila just days before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is due to visit Washington. The Philippine military says the activity saw navy and coast guard naval and air assets deployed on Wednesday. Washington dispatched missile destroyer and maritime aircraft as part of the exercise. The Philippine military chief issued a statement saying that the maritime engagements demonstrate a "commitment to maintaining a free, open and secure Indo-Pacific." The drills come as the administration of US President Donald Trump steps up its efforts to deter China. Manila and Beijing have been locked in a longstanding dispute over the South China Sea. Meanwhile, the Philippines agreed to a US proposal to construct two new boat maintenance facilities in Palawan Province, adjacent to the disputed waters. In a statement on Wednesday, the US Embassy in Manila said the move will provide repair and maintenance capabilities for several small Philippine military watercraft. This comes after an incident in May, when Manila said a Chinese government ship sideswiped one of its research vessels and hit it with a water cannon. Beijing blamed the Philippine side for the incident.
