Like most foreign leaders coming to visit President Donald Trump, the Philippines’ Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will look to make a personal connection with his American counterpart on Tuesday as he seeks a new trade deal.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth held an honor cordon for President of the Philippines Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during his visit on Monday.

The Philippines will neither yield nor waver in asserting its rights and interests over the West Philippine Sea. This was the commitment President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. promised to the Filipino people in his 3rd State of the Nation Address – a policy statement that continues

Marcos Jr.’s father, the late Ferdinand Marcos, ruled the Philippines for 21 years starting in 1965. He quashed term limits after declaring nationwide military rule in 1972.

Presidential candidate Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at a political rally in Rizal Province, Philippines on December 11, 2021 Ryan Eduard Benaid/NurPhoto via Getty Images) 2022-05-06T06:41:39Z

The Philippines elects a new president in May and it may spell the revival of the once-disgraced family of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos. His son, Ferdinand Marcos Junior, leads the poll.