Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced his intention to meet with former U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss recent shifts in U.S. policies concerning foreign aid, trade, defense, security, and immigration. Speaking to the media in Cebu City, Marcos emphasized the necessity of the meeting, highlighting the significant impact of these policies on the Philippines-U.S. relations.
Marcos pointed out the immediate effects of U.S. immigration policies, noting that several hundred Filipinos have been repatriated. He stressed the importance of Filipino workers in the U.S. and expressed hopes of influencing U.S. immigration policy to prevent further deportations. The Department of Foreign Affairs had previously indicated that the deportation of around 300,000 undocumented Filipinos in the U.S. was unlikely during Trump’s term.
Regarding the U.S. decision to temporarily halt foreign assistance, Marcos admitted the policy’s ambiguity, noting confusion even among U.S. government agencies about its implications. He described these uncertainties as typical challenges faced by new administrations, expressing optimism that clarity would emerge over time, allowing for more informed discussions during his planned meeting with Trump.
The exact date for Marcos’ meeting with Trump remains unspecified, as confirmed by Acting Secretary Cesar Chavez of the Presidential Communications Office.