PBBM, hangad ang mas malaking PH-US security, economic ties sa Washington trip

NAGPAHAYAG ng kanyang intensyon si Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. para sa “greater” security at economic relations sa pagitan ng Pilipinas at Estados Unidos sa kanyang magiging byahe sa Washington, D.C. mula July 20 hanggang 22.

“The purpose of this visit is to further strengthen the Philippines-United States alliance, to proactively engage the US in all aspects of the relations and seize opportunities for greater security and economic cooperation,” ang sinabi ni Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Assistant Secretary for American Affairs Raquel Solano sa press briefing sa Malakanyang.

“We will continue to underscore that for the Philippines to be a truly strong partner for the United States, we need to be stronger economically as well,” aniya pa rin.

Ang official visit ng Pangulo sa Washington D.C., ay tugon na rin sa imbitasyon ni US President Donald Trump.

Si Pangulong Marcos ang unang ASEAN head of state na inimbitahan para bumisita sa Estados Unidos at magdaos ng pulong kasama si Trump matapos na umupo ang huli bilang halal na Pangulo ng Estados Unidos noong Enero ngayong taon.

Ang pagbisita ni Pangulong Marcos ay matapos ang negosasyon sa pagitan ng Pilipinas at Estados Unidos ukol sa 20-percent tariff na ipinataw ng administrasyong Trump sa Philippine exports.

“Marcos, during his visit to the US, also aims to discuss the tariff rate that will be levied on Philippine exports starting Aug. 1,” ayon kay Solano.

“Right now, there is a team, Filipino group of Philippine trade officials who are in Washington, D.C., and they’re conducting these negotiations. And we hope, of course, to arrive at a bilateral trade agreement or a deal on the reciprocal trade that is mutually acceptable, mutually beneficial for both our countries,” aniya pa rin.

At nang tanungin kung kasama ang free trade agreement para sa kabuuang elimination ng taripa, sinabi ni Solano na umaasa ang gobyerno na ang dalawang bansa ay darating sa “mutually acceptable” trade deal.

Sinabi ni Solano na inaasahan na pag-uusapan nina Pangulong Marcos at Trump ang ‘closer cooperation’ sa economic, defense, at security matters na karaniwang interes.

Sinabi pa na nakatakdang talakayin ng dalawang lider ang West Philippine Sea (WPS) issue, at maging ang iba pang ‘regional at international issues na karaniwang alalahanin.

“Well, in the agenda of the meetings, there’s going to be an exchange of views on regional issues and concerns. So ultimately, this issue on the West Philippine Sea would be discussed,” ang sinabi ni Solano.

“And as to the possible agreements, well, we’re hoping to secure the assistance or support of the US government in enhancing the capabilities of our AFP and the Coast Guard in terms of the capabilities of our armed forces,” aniya pa rin.

“Aside from a bilateral meeting with Trump, Marcos is also scheduled to meet with US State Secretary Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth,” dagdag na wika nito.

Winika pa ni Solano na may ilang US businesses ang nag-request para makapulong si Pangulong Marcos para pag-usapan ang investment opportunities sa Pilipinas.

Tumanggi naman si Solano na ihayag ang pangalan ng mga kompanya na nais na makapulong ang Pangulo subalit tiniyak nito na “they are in line with the priorities of the Philippine government with respect to the promotion of our development objectives.”

“The objective of the visit is also to strengthen economic cooperation with the U.S., and these meetings with the business leaders is part of it. So, we are interested, of course, in getting these potential investors to invest here in the country. And actually, these companies that I mentioned earlier are already in the process of investing in the Philippines,” ayon kay Solano.

Samantala, hindi naman magagawang makita at makapulong ni Pangulong Marcos ang Filipino community sa Estados Unidos, dahil sa kanyang “very short visit.”