The Philippines and the United States are exploring the possibility of a meeting between President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and US President Donald Trump, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
The discussion was highlighted during a phone call on Wednesday between DFA Secretary Enrique Manalo and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
“Secretaries Manalo and Rubio agreed to explore a first meeting between Presidents Marcos and Trump in the near future,” GMA News reported, citing DFA’s statement.
President Marcos recently reaffirmed the strong alliance between the Philippines and the United States and expressed his intent to work closely with President Trump and his administration.
The two officials also touched on defense and security matters, including US support for the Philippines’ defense modernization and developments in the South China Sea. They further emphasized the importance of strengthening economic ties to achieve resilience.
Manalo and Rubio highlighted trilateral cooperation with Japan as a key factor in regional security and economic stability, particularly in developing secure supply chains and fostering private investments.
President Trump returned to office earlier this week following a series of high-profile challenges, including two impeachment trials, legal battles, and assassination attempts.
