President Bongbong Marcos said he is expecting Donald Trump to visit the Philippines this year in connection with the country’s hosting of the ASEAN Summit, a move that would place Washington at the center of a major regional diplomatic gathering led by Manila.
Marcos made the remark during the unveiling of the logo marking 80 years of Philippine–US diplomatic relations, underscoring that the timing aligns with the Philippines’ role as ASEAN chair and host. By inviting Trump to ASEAN-related meetings, Marcos is signaling that the Philippines intends to anchor its chairmanship on strong engagement with major dialogue partners, particularly the United States.
Presidential attendance at ASEAN Summits is widely viewed as a political signal of commitment to Southeast Asia. For the host country, such visits elevate the summit’s weight, reinforce alliances, and project diplomatic relevance amid regional tensions, including maritime security concerns and great-power competition.
Trump last visited the Philippines in 2017, when Manila also hosted the ASEAN Summit. Marcos’ expectation of a return visit links the upcoming summit to alliance continuity and positions the Philippines as a key convenor between ASEAN and Washington at a critical moment for regional security and economic coordination.
Marcos said the invitation reflects Manila’s expectation of sustained US support for ASEAN through what he described as a comprehensive and strategic partnership between the two countries, framing the summit not just as a regional meeting, but as a platform for reaffirming long-standing alliances.
