Manila and Washington are exploring the possibility of a meeting between Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and United States President Donald Trump, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
The prospect of a bilateral meeting was discussed 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,” the DFA said in a statement.
Strengthening PH-US Ties
The potential meeting underscores the continuing partnership between the two nations. Marcos recently reaffirmed the “strong and lasting PH-US alliance” and expressed his enthusiasm for working closely with Trump’s administration.
During their conversation, Manalo and Rubio also discussed defense and security cooperation, particularly US support for the modernization of the Philippine military and regional issues such as the South China Sea.
Economic and Regional Cooperation
Both sides emphasized the importance of enhancing economic ties and bolstering economic resilience. They also highlighted the role of trilateral cooperation with Japan in reinforcing regional security, stabilizing supply chains, and encouraging private investments in key sectors.
Trump’s Return to the White House
The discussion comes as President Trump begins his second term in office following his historic return to the White House on Monday. Trump’s political comeback follows a tumultuous first term, during which he survived two impeachment trials, a felony conviction, two assassination attempts, and an indictment related to his 2020 election loss.
The proposed meeting between the two leaders reflects a shared commitment to fostering strong bilateral and regional ties amid evolving geopolitical challenges.