US President Donald Trump meets with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, in the Oval Office of the White House, Tuesday on July 22 in Washington. (AP)

WASHINGTON, July 23, (AP): US President Donald Trump said he has reached a trade agreement with Philippine leader Ferdinand Marcos Jr, following a meeting Tuesday at the White House, that will see the US slightly drop its tariff rate for the Philippines without paying import taxes for what it sells there.

Trump revealed the broad terms of the agreement on his social media network and said the US and the Philippines would work together militarily. The announcement of a loose framework of a deal comes as the two countries are seeking closer security and economic ties in the face of shifting geopolitics in the Indo-Pacific region.

Marcos’ government indicated ahead of the meeting that he was prepared to offer zero tariffs on some US goods to strike a deal with Trump. The Philippine Embassy did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment. Marcos’ three-day visit to Washington shows the importance of the alliance between the treaty partners as China is increasingly assertive in the South China Sea, where Manila and Beijing have clashed over the hotly contested Scarborough Shoal.

Trump said on Truth Social that the US would impose a 19% tariff rate on the Philippines, down from a 20% tariff he threatened starting Aug. 1. In return, he said, the Philippines would have an open market and the US would not pay tariffs. Marcos described the lower 19% tariff rate to reporters in Washington as a “significant achievement” in real terms. He said his country was considering options such as having an open market without tariffs for US automobiles, but emphasized details were still left to be worked out. When asked whether the Philippines got the shorter end of the stick, Marcos said, “that’s how negotiations go.”

Without further details on the agreement, it’s unclear how it will impact their countries’ economies. Trump wrote that Marcos’ visit was “beautiful,” and it was a “Great Honor” to host such a “very good, and tough, negotiator.” Appearing before reporters in the Oval Office ahead of their private meeting, Marcos spoke warmly of the ties between the two nations.

Assistant Foreign Minister for European Affairs Sadiq Mohammed Marafi , Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Audra Plipeti, Kuwaiti Ambassador to Germany assigned to the Republic of Lithuania Reem Mohammed Al-Khaled, and Romanos Davidonis, Ambassador of the Republic of Lithuania to the United Arab Emirates.

BERLIN, July 22: The State of Kuwait and Lithuania signed Monday a memo of understanding (MoU) aiming at holding political consultations between both countries. Kuwaiti Assistant Foreign Minister for Europe Affairs Sadiq Marafi and Lithuanian Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Audra Plepyte signed the MoU in the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius, the Kuwaiti Embassy in Germany said in a press release, a copy of which was obtained by KUNA.

Following the singing, both sides held the first round of political consultations about bilateral economic and investment relations, according to the release. They also looked into the exchange of expertise in scientific, medical, and governance fields, along with major regional and international issues. The Kuwaiti Embassy in Germany said in a statement obtained by Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) that the MoU was signed in the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius, by Assistant Foreign Minister for European Affairs Sadiq Marafi and Lithuanian Deputy Foreign Minister Audra Plepyte. The statement added that following the signing, the two sides held the first round of consultations, with the Kuwaiti side headed by Assistant Foreign Minister for European Affairs Sadiq Marafi and the Lithuanian side led by Deputy Foreign Minister Audra Plepyte.

According to the statement, the two sides discussed ways to enhance bilateral relations at all levels, especially in the economic and investment sectors, in line with Kuwait’s Vision 2035. The meeting also covered opportunities for exchanging expertise in the scientific, medical, and governance fields, as well as key regional and international issues, including opportunities for cooperation in international forums. The Kuwaiti side was represented in the consultations by Reem Al- Khaled, the Ambassador of the State of Kuwait to Germany and non-resident Ambassador to the Republic of Lithuania, and Ramunas Davidonis, the Ambassador of the Republic of Lithuania to the United Arab Emirates and non-resident Ambassador to the State of Kuwait. (KUNA)

KUWAIT CITY, July 22: In line with its plan to develop Kuwait International Airport and modernize its investment and service infrastructure, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has started preparing for the implementation of an integrated project to develop and reshape the investment zone and duty-free shopping area in Terminal Four (T4) as per the latest international standards for airport operations and passenger service. Reliable sources informed the newspaper that this radical change complies with the directive of DGCA President Eng. Sheikh Hamoud Al-Sabah, who prioritizes the development of airport facilities to be on par with international airports in terms of form, content, and services provided, under the requirements of international civil aviation organizations.

Sources said the DGCA stressed the need for T4 to become an ideal environment that meets the aspirations of travelers, especially during peak travel seasons. Sources pointed out this will make the airport not just a transit station, but an integrated destination offering world-class commercial and investment services. Sources revealed the directorate has launched dozens of investment tenders aimed at attracting major international and local companies to contribute to enriching the investment environment at the airport. Sources believe this will support the State budget through the revenues generated by these partnerships.

By Mohammad Al-Enezi
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff