• Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr will meet US President Donald Trump from July 20-22.
• The meeting will address a proposed 20% tariff on Philippine exports and rising tensions in the South China Sea.
• Increased military cooperation between the US and the Philippines will also be a key topic for discussion.
• Philippine officials are pushing for continued dialogue to finalize trade negotiations before the tariff is implemented.
• This marks a significant strengthening of ties between the two nations under President Marcos Jr.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr is scheduled to meet with US President Donald Trump in Washington from July 20 to 22. This will be the first formal meeting between the two leaders, with discussions expected to focus on increasing trade tariffs and enhancing military cooperation between the two longstanding allies, according to Reuters and Channel News Asia.

Foreign Minister Theresa Lazaro confirmed that key issues including a rising 20% tariff on exports, announced by Trump, as well as security engagements, will be on the agenda. This tariff increase is up from a previously indicated 17% and is part of broader trade negotiation talks, as indicated by both Reuters and The Jakarta Post.

The implications of these tariffs are significant, with the US trade deficit with the Philippines increasing to $4.9 billion in 2024, representing a 21.8% rise from the previous year. Amidst this, the Philippines remains committed to continuous negotiations, with a delegation set to travel to the US shortly to prevent the tariff's implementation. These developments highlight the growing economic links between Manila and Washington, as reported by The Jakarta Post and South China Morning Post.

Moreover, the Philippines has been reinforcing its military ties with the US as a countermeasure against China's assertive actions in the South China Sea. Relations have intensified under President Marcos Jr., who has allowed greater American military presence in the country as part of ongoing defense agreements, according to South China Morning Post.

Lazaro emphasized that the relationship is crucial for both countries as they seek to enhance “peace through deterrence” amid ongoing tensions with China, which claims extensive territories in the contested waters. She mentioned that negotiations on a legally binding code of conduct for the region are also long overdue, according to Channel News Asia and South China Morning Post.