President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., on Sunday, said that he will be discussing trade and tariff at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and related meetings as he arrived in Kuala Lumpur Sunday afternoon.

"I will add to that list of issues the discussions which we will continue as we have already had preliminary discussions with the Chair of ASEAN, Malaysia, specifically Prime Minister Anwar (Ibrahim), on the response ? the proper response of ASEAN as a group towards the new tariff schedule that is being imposed by the United States," Marcos said during his departure speech at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.

US President Donald Trump has imposed tariffs as long as 17 percent to as high as 125 percent to imports from ASEAN to correct what he claims are unfair trading practices,

Marcos will also be discussing developments in the South China Sea, the situation in Myanmar, threats to regional peace and maritime security, climate change, economic volatility, and digital disruption with ASEAN Leaders during the two-day summit from May 27 to 28.

Marcos and his delegation arrived in Kuala Lumpur at 5:15 pm. Marcos placed Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, and Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III as temporary government caretakers.

Marcos said he will present the Philippines' commitment to the development of a common regional framework for ethical and response AI or Artificial Intelligence aligned with ASEAN values,'' Marcos said.

In line with the ASEAN visit, Marcos has placed Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, and Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III as temporary caretakers of the government. Yzabela Velez-White/DMS