(MENAFN) Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. departed for Washington on Sunday for a three-day official trip, where he is expected to push for a bilateral trade agreement and address defense cooperation in talks with US President Donald Trump.

This marks Marcos’ fifth trip to the United States, with the visit centered on countering a looming 20% tariff on Philippine exports to the US, scheduled to be implemented in August.

“It is my first visit to Washington following the inauguration of President Trump earlier this year,” Marcos stated prior to his departure, according to a release from the Presidential Communications Office.

He emphasized that his meeting with Trump “is essential to continuing to advance our national interests and strengthening our alliance.”

“During this visit, we will reaffirm our commitment to fostering our long-standing alliances as an instrument of peace and a catalyst of development in the Asia-Pacific region and around the world,” Marcos continued.

“My top priority for this visit is to push for greater economic engagement, particularly through trade and investment between the Philippines and the United States,” he said.

Marcos also stated his intention to signal to Trump and his senior officials that Manila is ready to enter into negotiations for a bilateral trade agreement aimed at establishing “strong, mutually beneficial and future-oriented” ties.

The Philippines maintains a longstanding alliance with the US, underpinned by robust economic and defense relations. Their security cooperation is anchored in the 1951 US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty.

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