MANILA – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is planning to meet with United States’ President Donald Trump to discuss the latter’s new policies.
The Chief Executive said in an interview with the media in Cebu City that he plans to talk to Trump over his new policies on foreign assistance, trade, defense and security, and immigration.
“I will meet with President Trump because I should. There’s much that we need to discuss between the US and the Philippines in terms of trade, in terms of defense and security, and now the new policy on immigration,” Marcos said.
“Nagpauwi na yata ng ilang daan na Pilipino. This is something that we have to work through and hopefully resolve because the Filipinos in the United States, especially, have really formed the important part already of their workforce,” Marcos added.
President Marcos said the Philippine government would find a way to “influence” the US’ policy-making in terms of immigration.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) earlier said it is “almost impossible” that the estimated 300,000 Filipinos without legal status in the US would be deported by the end of the Trump administration.
Regarding US’ temporary suspension of foreign assistance, President Marcos said it is “hard to comment” because the policy is “not yet clear.”
“It’s very unclear what it is. It’s even the agencies in the US government, hindi nila naintindihan what it means – ano ‘yung tatamaan, saan babawasan ang aid funds,” he said.
“Well, this is what happens. These are the growing pains of a new administration. But I’m sure, with time these policies will crystalize and will become clearer, by which time I will have a chance to visit with President Trump and we can discuss it with a better understanding of what the policies are,” Marcos added./PN
