Manila, July 20 -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. left for Washington D.C. on Sunday for a three-day official visit, where he is expected to press for a bilateral trade deal and discuss defense cooperation in a high-level meeting with United States President Donald Trump.

"This visit is the first by an ASEAN head of state to the United States under this administration," Marcos said in his departure speech at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.

"My meeting with President Trump is essential to continuing and to advance our national interest and strengthening our alliance."

The visit comes as the Philippines seeks to ease the impact of a proposed 20 percent US tariff on Philippine exports.

The President said his team would negotiate with...