US President Donald Trump is set to travel to Manila next month to participate in the 2026 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit. While official details remain sparse, spokesperson Claire Castro confirmed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration is preparing for the visit, which is scheduled for November 15 to 17. Following his stay in the Philippines, Trump will head to China for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Shenzhen. In anticipation of the event, the Philippine government has declared November 16 to 18 as special non-working days within the National Capital Region.

The upcoming visit follows a series of diplomatic engagements between Trump and Marcos, who previously met at the White House last year to strengthen ties in defense and trade. However, the announcement has already sparked significant backlash from local activist groups. Leaders from the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan have vowed to stage widespread protests, criticizing the administration’s regional policies and the U.S.-led "Pax Silica" initiative, which focuses on semiconductor and rare earth element manufacturing. As security preparations intensify, it is clear that Trump’s return to Manila will be met with a volatile mix of formal diplomatic proceedings and intense public opposition.