Marcos Jr. optimistic he can get tariff deal with US done

WASHINGTON D.C. — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday answered in the affirmative when asked if he is confident that he can get the tariff deal done with the US in his first official meeting with American President Donald Trump.

Marcos Jr. arrived at the White House around 10:30 a.m., where Trump welcomed him to the West Wing.

Marcos Jr.’s fifth trip to the United States comes weeks after the US announced a 20 percent tariff on its traditional ally, a 3-percentage point increase than the 17 percent tariff initially announced in April. 

This tariff rate is the second lowest in Southeast Asia with Singapore’s 10 percent tariff being the lowest, Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Frederick Go earlier said. 

But more than negotiating for a reduced tariff rate, Marcos Jr. and his officials are expected to focus on making several commodities exempted from duties.