Economics

Philippines’ Marcos Seeks Reassurances From Trump Over Alliance

Ambassador Romualdez isn’t worried about tariffs or defunding
Sees $500 million annual budget from US Congress as intact

Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Photographer: Veejay Villafranca/Bloomberg

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By Clarissa Batino and Neil Jerome Morales

January 31, 2025 at 7:57 AM UTC

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The Philippines’ top diplomat in Washington is optimistic of a White House meeting between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Donald Trump in the spring as the former seeks assurances of their alliance in the face of threats from China.

“The priority, really, for the president’s trip here is mostly to reaffirm most of the commitments that have been made in the past eight years,” Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez said during an interview via Zoom on Friday, emphasizing the two sides have a standing mutual defense treaty.