Trump to extend PH stay until Nov. 14
Story updated to include statement of Communications Secretary Martin Andanar.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 4) — U.S. President Donald Trump said he will be extending his stay in the Philippines, where he will attend meetings for the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit.
"We're actually staying an extra day in the Philippines," Trump told reporters at the White House on Friday. "We have a big conference, a second conference and I think we're gonna have great success. We'll be talking about trade. We'll be talking about, obviously, North Korea."
Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said on Saturday the Palace welcomed the news, adding that Trump will attend the ASEAN-East Asia Summit (EAS) on November 14.
The ASEAN-EAS includes the 10 ASEAN Member States along with Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Russia, South Korea, and the United States.
The U.S. Embassy in Manila had announced Trump would skip the summit.
A CNN security analyst earlier said Trump's absence would "leave more room for the leaders of Russia and China to dominate the discussion at the summit," adding it's a major downside risk to the U.S. national security to let China and Russia steer security discussions.
The U.S. President on Friday decided to extend his trip to the country for another day in order to attend the event.
"The President looks forward to engaging President Trump in the productive dialogue at the ASEAN-US Commemorative Summit and the EAS," Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said on government-run radio program "Radyo Pilipinas."
On October 25, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said Trump had originally been scheduled to be in the country from November 12 to 13 and that he would not be able to join the ASEAN-EAS.
Read: Cayetano confirms Duterte, Trump bilateral meeting in November
Cayetano also said Trump and President Rodrigo Duterte will hold a bilateral meeting this month, although he did not give the date.
Trump is also heading to other Asian countries, as well as making visits in relation to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation.
The White House had said Trump's visits to countries it considers allies and partners will highlight North Korea's repeated threats to launch a nuclear attack.
