‘Very close to a trade deal,’ Trump says after meeting Philippine leader Marcos at White House | World News

US President Donald Trump met with his Philippine counterpart Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the White House on Tuesday as both leaders discussed strengthening economic and security ties, according to the Associated Press (AP).
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said the two countries were nearly finished negotiating a new agreement. “We’re very close to finishing a trade deal, big trade deal, actually,” Trump said.
Marcos responded calling the United States the Philippines’ “strongest partner.” He added, “This has evolved into as important a relationship as is possible to have.”
Story continues below this ad

When asked how he would balance his country’s ties with both the US and China, Marcos said, “There is no need to balance because our foreign policy is an independent one.”
The meeting comes as the US shifts more of its economic and military focus to the Asia-Pacific region. Marcos is the first Southeast Asian leader to visit Trump during his second term. Before Tuesday’s talks with Trump, Marcos also met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Trade and security on the agenda
Marcos said he would propose a trade deal that is fair and beneficial to both countries. “The Philippines is ready to negotiate a bilateral trade deal that will ensure strong, mutually beneficial and future-oriented collaborations,” he said on Sunday before leaving for Washington, according to his office.

Trump has threatened to impose 20 per cent tariffs on Philippine goods starting 1 August if a deal is not reached.Story continues below this ad
Philippine Finance Secretary Ralph Recto told local media that Manila may offer zero tariffs on some US goods to help finalise the agreement.
The White House said Trump and Marcos would also talk about their shared goal of maintaining a “free, open, prosperous and secure Indo-Pacific,” AP noted.
Defence ties deepen amid China tensions
At the Pentagon, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said the US remained committed to its mutual defence treaty with the Philippines. “Our storied alliance has never been stronger or more essential than it is today,” he said. “This pact extends to armed attacks on our armed forces, aircraft or public vessels, including our Coast Guard anywhere in the Pacific, including the South China Sea.”

Marcos said the treaty remains a central part of the relationship between the two countries. He also thanked the US for its support amid what he called “threats” facing the Philippines. He said joint military exercises and US assance in upgrading the Philippines’ armed forces have expanded since Hegseth’s visit to Manila in March.Story continues below this ad
China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan all claim parts of the South China Sea, one of the world’s busiest shipping routes. The Philippines has accused China’s coast guard of using water cannons to block its boats.
In May, Hegseth told a security forum in Singapore that the US is focusing on “deterring aggression Commun China.”
On Monday, Marcos and Secretary of State Rubio also discussed supply chains and regional peace. Rubio recently met with Chinese Foreign Miner Wang Yi on the sidelines of a regional forum in Malaysia. According to AP, both sides agreed to keep communication open and explore possible areas of cooperation.