By Brian Campued
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will visit the United States on July 20–22, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed Friday.
The DFA issued the statement following confirmation by Malacañang regarding the President’s upcoming visit to Washington.
“We are working with the U.S. State Department to finalize the details of the visit. We will share more information once these are finalized,” the agency said.
During the ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Thursday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said they are looking forward “to hosting the President of the Philippines in Washington in a few days.”
Marcos previously visited the United States to attend the U.S.-Philippines-Japan Trilateral Summit in April 2024.
When asked whether tariff negotiations would be included in Marcos’ agenda, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro clarified that details on the matter would be disclosed by the DFA.
“Pina-finalize po kasi iyong detalye. At sinabi ko nga po, kinu-confirm po, hindi ko po dini-deny, kinu-confirm po ang pagbisita po ng ating Pangulo sa U.S., July 20 to 22—confirmed. Pero po ano iyong detalye na pag-uusapan, ang DFA na po ang magbibigay sa inyo,” Castro said.
During Thursday’s Malacañang press briefing, Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs (SAPIEA) Secretary Frederick Go confirmed the Philippine government is set to hold talks with the U.S. next week to discuss the newly imposed 20% tariff on Philippine exports.
“So, myself together with DTI Secretary Cris Roque and Undersecretary Perry Rodolfo and Undersecretary Allan Gepty will be flying to the United States next week… So, there will be meetings next week amongst the trade representatives ng Amerika po at ng Pilipinas,” Go said.
-jpv
