By Perfecto T. Raymundo, Jr.
QUEZON CITY — Albay Rep. Joey Salceda on Saturday (July 26) cited the economic, military and other benefits reaped from the recent visit of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to the United States.
President Marcos, Jr. had an official visit to the United States from July 17-21, 2025.
In the Saturday News Forum, Rep. Salceda said that the Philippines not only gotten 1% from the US trade deal.
It will be noted that the 20% trade tariffs imposed by President Donald J. Trump to the Philippines was slashed to 19% following the talks with President Marcos, Jr.
“It’s not ‘apples to apples’ ‘ when it comes to trade relations of the Philippines with the US,” Rep. Salceda said.
“The biggest benefit there was that the WPS is part of the West Philippine Sea,” he added.
“It should shield our food products such as mangoes, bananas, and other export products,” Salceda said.
The Albay lawmaker noted that the Sanitation Inspection Permit delays the exports of the Philippines.
Salceda cited the US$14-Billion indo-Pacific Fund, US$15-Million Luzon fund, and the US$21 Billion investments announced by PBBM.
“The Philippines got the best trade deal with the Trump administration second to Malaysia,” Salceda said. ###
