Washington—world history witnessed the longest bilateral relations of the United States of America with the Philippines in the East Asian region. The unfolding events across the corners of the world may be a test of this friendship’s endurance. While comparatively, the two nations have recently faced domestic controversies and unpopular moves, the global stage was just as challenging as possible.
Philippine President Marcos’ official visit to Washington was the first visit by an ASEAN head of state under the Trump administration. Advancement of national interests with the American people and government were the core pillars to such engagements of the Marcos Jr. administration. This further means the significance is tantamount to the openness of the Philippines to all sorts of bilateral relations, from economic to political relations, among others. Trade, security, and defense were the top priorities in the Marcos official visit to the United States of America. Earlier, the Philippine Ambassador to the United States of America mentioned that the two leaders will not discuss anything related to illegal migrants and deportation, a core advocacy of the Trump administration second time around.
Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. arrived in Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States of America, for a working visit on July 20, 2025. The ongoing tensions in the South China Sea and the West Philippine Sea, which was part of the broader Indo-Pacific region, were the central thematic issues for President Marcos during his first official day.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth received President Marcos, spotlighting the value of the Philippines-U.S. alliance in preserving peace in the contested region through the value of joint military exercises and the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
The US Defense Secretary reaffirmed its commitment to upholding a free and open Asia-Pacific, including the largest and most participated “balikatan,” or “joint military exercises.” “Together we shall push for the strong shield of deterrence or peace in the area,” Hegseth mentioned.
Philippine President Marcos Jr. emphasized the only mutual defense treaty ally in the region signaled the strong relations between the Philippines-US alliance over the test of time. “The continuing support of the US government and administration to the Philippines, including the modernization efforts of the Philippine Armed Forces in the midst of the geopolitical tensions…in preserving peace in the South China Sea, and even in the larger Indo-Pacific region…,” the Philippine president stated during the bilateral discussion in the Pentagon.
In the press briefing between the two leaders in the White House earlier, US President Donald Trump described the fantastic relationship between the two nations. On the other hand, Philippine President Marcos emphasized how the relations evolved through the years, as that translated to the good standing of the Philippines-US alliance.
When asked about the military modernization, “We do this because it is necessary,” Marcos Jr. stated. The self-reliance outcome was assistance from the US government with what was happening around the Philippines and the region. Eliminating terrorism during the first term was echoed by this self-reliance as articulated by US President Trump.
Although the impact of tariffs would be for the American consumers, the Philippines’ 1% reduction was still a successful bargaining agreement with the US government, according to Philippine President Marcos Jr. From 20% to 19% was the closed trade tariffs deal between the two nations, while the USA was at 0% at all. It can be observed that the assessment upon the ascension by the Trump administration early this year was 17%; still, the 1% reduction outcome was still a good deal. Many may argue that 1% was the opposite of a good deal in so many ways. Deepening economic and security ties, the high-profile visit of President Marcos Jr. was testament to the US’s strong commitment to the Philippines.
The historical visit of the Philippine president to US President Donald Trump a few days before his 4th State of the Nation Address, after the midterm elections, played a crucial role and was thus strategic to his remaining years in power as the Commander-In-Chief and Foreign Architect of Philippine foreign policy. As to domestic squabbles between the two highest elected officials, a pro-America and a pro-China, the President and Vice President, respectively, also reflect the features of the current Philippine foreign policy. On the other hand, this current foreign engagement of Marcos Jr. was an outsider factor to his father, former Philippine President Ferdinand E. Marcos, who experienced exile in Hawaii after the 1986 peaceful People Power Revolution that led to the dethronement of the elder Marcos.
