Trump to attend ASEAN Summit in Manila in November

National

NEARLY nine years after his last visit to Manila, US President Donald Trump is set to return to the Philippine capital in November for the 49th ASEAN Summit, Malacañang confirmed.

“It is confirmed, but the details will not come from me,” Palace press officer Claire Castro said at a media briefing, as quoted by Philstar. She declined to disclose further information about the US president’s visit.

Castro also withheld details on whether the US-led Pax Silica initiative would be signed during Trump’s trip, saying she would share additional information when authorized to do so.

President Marcos has declared Nov. 16 to 18 as special non-working days in the National Capital Region in connection with the 49th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits.

Trump last visited the Philippines in November 2017, when he attended the 31st ASEAN Summit in Manila during his first presidential term.

Marcos and Trump last met in person at the White House in Washington, D.C., on July 22, 2025, to discuss bilateral relations, defense cooperation and trade. The two leaders spoke by telephone the following day about economic developments and regional security concerns, including the South China Sea.

The United States has been an official dialogue partner of ASEAN since 1977. It remains the regional bloc’s largest source of foreign direct investment and second-largest trading partner.(MyTVCebu)