US President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced a partial climbdown on proposed tariffs for the Philippines, agreeing to reduce the threatened rate by one percentage point following a high-profile meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos at the White House. Trump described the encounter as “a beautiful visit” and praised Marcos as a “very tough negotiator.”

While Trump confirmed the Philippines would open its markets fully to US goods under the new trade arrangement, he insisted on imposing a 19 percent tariff on Philippine exports — slightly lower than the originally threatened 20 percent but still above the 17 percent floated in April. The Philippines, a major exporter of electronics and apparel, was among several countries recently warned of sweeping US trade penalties.

The visit highlighted the deepening strategic relationship between the two longtime allies, amid rising tensions in the South China Sea. Marcos reiterated his country’s commitment to defending its sovereign rights in the disputed waters, while Trump and senior US officials reaffirmed their commitment to the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty.

Despite past criticism of allies’ defense spending, Trump appeared unwavering in support of the Philippines. “Our strongest, closest, most reliable ally has always been the United States,” Marcos said, stressing the importance of military modernization in the face of Chinese aggression.

Trump also hinted at a future visit to China and emphasized his good rapport with President Xi Jinping. Still, he claimed credit for reorienting Philippine foreign policy away from Beijing — a shift that actually began after Marcos’s 2022 election and before Trump’s return to power.