President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is seeking a specialized bilateral trade deal with the United States, aiming to craft an agreement that only the Philippines and the US can truly take advantage of. The proposal, unveiled ahead of his upcoming visit to Washington, marks a shift away from broader regional trade pacts toward a more tailored economic partnership.
Marcos explained that the envisioned trade pact would be unique to the two countries, designed specifically to fit their economic relationship rather than following templates used in other free trade agreements. This approach, he suggested, could bring more meaningful benefits to Filipino industries and workers.
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A Deal That ‘Only US and PH Can Take Advantage Of’
In the last five years, the Philippines has received around P165.93 billion in foreign investment from the United States, based on data from the Philippine Embassy in Washington.
As with his previous overseas visits, the President is set to hold discussions with business leaders to look for ways to boost the nation’s economic growth.
“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,” President Marcos explained during his remarks.
The President pointed out that past trade deals sometimes failed to reflect the realities of Philippine exports and economic strengths. By focusing on a bilateral deal, his administration hopes to address these gaps and negotiate terms that directly benefit both countries.
“I intend to convey to President Trump and his cabinet officials that the Philippines is ready to negotiate a bilateral trade deal that will ensure strong, mutually beneficial, and future-oriented collaborations that only the United States and the Philippines will be able to take advantage of,” he added.
Moving Beyond Past Templates
Marcos holds the distinction of being the first ASEAN leader to have an official meeting with President Trump since Trump’s return to the White House in January 2025. This early engagement highlights the enduring partnership between the Philippines and the United States, reflecting both countries’ commitment to maintaining close diplomatic and economic ties.
He noted that discussions with American officials have already begun and that there is openness on both sides to explore what such a specialized deal might look like. Unlike previous agreements that took years to finalize, the President is pushing for faster progress to deliver results for Filipino businesses sooner.
As the Philippines and the United States move forward, the government hopes this targeted agreement will help protect local industries from rising global tariffs and sharpen the country’s competitive edge. Marcos believes that by creating a pact based on the distinct economic and strategic ties between the two nations, the Philippines can secure greater growth and resilience.
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