Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has offered to return US Typhon missiles if China halts its aggressive actions in the South China Sea, including harassment of Filipino fishermen and territorial claims.

Analysts say it the proposal was likely rhetorical rather than genuine, with little chance Beijing would ever take up such a deal.

MANILA (Reuters) -- Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said on Thursday he would meet U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss issues including immigration, in an effort to influence policy he said could impact a large number of Filipinos in the United States.

The US military deployed the Typhon missile system in the northern Philippines last year as part of an annual joint exercise, and Filipino troops have been training with it, with plans to acquire the system as a means to protect Manila's maritime interests.

President Bongbong Marcos claps back at China's criticisms of the deployment of the United States' Typhon missile system to the Philippines, stating that he would be willing to have the military hardware pulled out of the country if Chinese aggression in the West Philippines Sea stops.