Philstar
Fact check: Did Philippines 'come right back' to US after Trump’s return?
Former US President Donald Trump claimed that the Philippines returned to the US side after his election, but this assertion is contradicted by the timeline of events.
Trump criticized former President Rodrigo Duterte for his perceived closeness to China, suggesting it was a risk for the Philippines.
During his meeting with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Trump stated that "when I got elected, everything changed, and they came right back to us."
However, Marcos Jr. had already started re-establishing ties with the US approximately two years prior to Trump's potential second term.
Despite Trump's narrative, Marcos Jr. has consistently maintained an independent foreign policy while working to strengthen defense and diplomatic relations with the US.
Marcos Jr.'s initial official trip outside Southeast Asia after winning the 2022 election was to the United Nations General Assembly, where he met with then-US President Joe Biden.
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US President Donald Trump met with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the White House, where Trump criticized the previous administration led by former President Rodrigo Duterte, stating they "did not know what they were doing."
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President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. met with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington D.C. on July 22 to strengthen bilateral ties, focusing on security, trade, and immigration.
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US President Donald Trump stated he does not mind if the Philippines strengthens its ties with China, citing America's own good relationship with Beijing.
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President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. departed for Washington D.C. on July 20, 2025, for a three-day official visit, aiming to negotiate a potential bilateral trade deal and discuss defense cooperation with US President Donald Trump.
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President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. hailed a one-percentage-point reduction in U.S. tariff rates on Philippine exports to 19 percent, resulting from bilateral talks with U.S. President Donald Trump.
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