US Imposes 19% Tariff on Philippines After Marcos Visit Amid Trade, Security Talks

During Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s official visit to the White House, US President Donald Trump expressed that he does not mind if the Philippines improves its relationship with China, emphasizing that the US itself is maintaining good ties with China. The visit led to a new trade agreement where the US will impose a 19% tariff on Philippine imports, a slight reduction from the initially proposed 20%, which Marcos described as a significant achievement and a foundation for future trade talks. In return, American goods will enter the Philippines tariff-free, and the two leaders discussed strengthening military cooperation amid heightened tensions in the South China Sea. Marcos emphasized that the Philippines does not need to balance its relationships between the US and China, asserting the US as its strongest and most reliable ally. Trump praised Marcos as a tough negotiator and called the visit "beautiful," highlighting the goal of making the Philippines "great again". The agreement reflects a strategic partnership as the US and the Philippines seek closer economic and security ties in response to shifting geopolitics in the Indo-Pacific region.