Over the course of his trip, President Donald Trump is scheduled to make international stops in Japan, China, South Korea and Vietnam in addition to the Philippines. | Andrew Harnik/AP Trump to stay in the Philippines extra day to attend East Asia Summit

President Donald Trump announced Friday morning that he will extend his trip to Asia, adding an extra day in the Philippines to attend the East Asia Summit.

“We're about to begin a long trip. I know some of you are coming with us. We look forward to it,” Trump told reporters as he departed the White House Friday morning en route to Air Force One. “We're actually staying an extra day in the Philippines, we have a big conference, a second conference. And I think we're going to have great success.”


Trump’s attendance at the East Asia Summit will add a 13th day to the trip that began Friday with his departure from the White House. While in Asia, Trump is also expected to attend an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in Vietnam and a meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in the Philippines.

Trump is scheduled to make international stops in Japan, China, South Korea and Vietnam in addition to the Philippines. It will be the longest trip by any U.S. president since 1991, when President George H.W. Bush traveled through Asia for 12 days.

Trump had come under criticism for skipping the East Asia Summit, which brings together heads of state from countries in the region and is seen as a premier event for East Asia issues.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson had been scheduled to attend in Trump's stead, but the White House decided at the last minute to send the president — a symbolic move aimed at building good will in the region.

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Former President Barack Obama joined the summit in 2011 and attended every year except one — when there was a government shutdown in the U.S.

Trump's absence had caused a stir in East Asia policy circles, with some worrying that it could send a signal that Trump is less engaged in the region than his predecessor.

The decision to remain in Manila for an extra day extends an already grueling trip — the longest of Trump's presidency so far.