DAVAO CITY , Philippines — President Duterte is looking forward to meeting US President Donald Trump next week in Manila for the East Asia Summit.
“He is excited. And it is not only him but other officials who will be with him as well, when the two shall meet,” an official close to Duterte said yesterday.
Sources said Duterte is also looking forward to the bilateral meeting with Trump, who is extending for a day his stay in Manila on Nov. 14.
“He (Duterte) is overwhelmed,” the official remarked.
Duterte said he has in a way established friendship with Trump even if they have not met yet personally.
The two leaders talked over the phone at least twice since Trump assumed office last January.
The two leaders are expected to exchange notes on the war against illegal drugs. Trump has lately declared the US opioid addiction as a national emergency.
At the same time, Duterte is also looking forward to meeting the leaders of the ASEAN nations as well as their partners such as Japan, China and South Korea.
A briefing was held for the President last Friday where he was updated on preparations for the EAS next week.
The President has also reportedly been rehearsing his speeches.
Trump, on the other hand, arrived in Tokyo the other day for the first leg of his Asian tour, the first for the US leader since he assumed office.
Trump will first visit Japan, South Korea, China and then proceed to Da Nang, Vietnam for the Asia- Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit before flying to Manila.