President Rodrigo Duterte, during their bilateral meeting at the sidelines of the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Meetings on November 13, thanked United States President Donald Trump for extending assistance during the Marawi siege.
The said meeting is the first formal meeting between the two leaders since they assumed office.
During their 40-minute discussion, the two leaders touched on matters of mutual interest between the two countries such as trade and economy.
According to Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, who was present during the meeting, the Philippines expressed view of being appreciative of the Generalized System of Preferences and suggested that free trade agreement also be concluded between the US and the Philippines.
According to Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, who was present during the meeting, the Philippines expressed view of being appreciative of the Generalized System of Preferences and suggested that free trade agreement also be concluded between the US and the Philippines.
Roque said the US observed that the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry has become very important in the Philippines promising to find ways to reduce the trade surplus between the two nations.
He added that the US will try to work out something to reduce the deficit of trade between the Philippines and China.
On improving trade relations, Roque said President Trump singled out the issue on tariffs being imposed on US automobiles while such tariffs are not being imposed on Japanese cars.
The Palace official described the meeting between the two leaders as “frank.”
“They affirm the very close ties between the Philippines and the United States,” he said.
“President Trump specifically said that he has always been a friend of the Duterte administration unlike the previous administrations of the United States. But he stressed that he can be counted upon as a friend of the Duterte administration,” he added.