United States President Donald Trump has assured President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that he will raise the Philippines' concerns over the South China Sea during his next meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, following a phone conversation between the two leaders on Thursday.

According to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), Marcos and Trump discussed the current global economic and security situation, including recent developments in the South China Sea.

The phone call came a day after Marcos met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Malacañang, where the Philippine leader briefed the top American diplomat on recent incidents in the disputed waters.

Communications Secretary Dave Gomez said Trump assured Marcos that the Philippines' concerns would be included in his agenda when he meets with Xi.

"The President updated Secretary Rubio on the recent incidents in the South China Sea. President Trump assured President Marcos that he will take up the concerns of the Philippines in his next meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping," the PCO said in a statement.

Meanwhile, U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Lipton confirmed the conversation in a social media post, describing it as another step toward strengthening communication between the two allies.

"Pleased to announce that, this evening, President Donald J. Trump spoke with President Bongbong Marcos. One of my goals as U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines is to ensure our two leaders are regularly in touch with each other. Great things ahead!" Lipton wrote.

The Palace did not disclose further details about the discussion, including a possible timeline for Trump's meeting with Xi.

The latest phone call underscores the continuing coordination between Manila and Washington on regional security issues amid persistent tensions in the South China Sea, where the Philippines has repeatedly protested China's actions within its exclusive economic zone.