PH delegation meets with US trade rep amid Trump tariffs

By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora, Philippine News Agency

FILE: Philippine and US trade and economic officials discuss PH-US trade and investment relations during the meeting. (Photo: Philippine Embassy in Washington DC, USA)

MANILA – A high-level economic delegation from the Philippines met and had “productive” and “positive” talks with United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in Washington DC on May 2, the Philippine Embassy in Washington DC said Saturday.

The meeting comes as the Philippine government seeks to negotiate the paused 17 percent reciprocal tariff imposed on the country by US President Donald Trump.

“Both countries agreed to undertake concrete steps in recognition of the complementary nature of our economies and the strategic value of our alliance,” the Philippine Embassy said.

Philippine Ambassador to US Jose Manuel Romualdez declined to discuss further details about the talks but said Manila hopes to close a deal beneficial to both countries.

“We cannot discuss details for now.

We are confident both countries will come up with a good and mutually beneficial agreement,” he told the Philippine News Agency in a text message.

Asked if there would be a second round of talks, Romualdez, said, “We will wait for the next steps to be taken.”

The Philippine delegation was led by Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Frederick Go, Trade Secretary Cristina Aldeguer-Roque, and Romualdez.

Both sides expressed optimism about the future of the Philippine-US trade and investment relations, especially in the context of “economic security and fair, balanced, and reciprocal trade.”

The embassy said both sides welcomed the “positive outcome of the discussions” and underscored the importance of an “economically and strategically strong partnership” between the two states.

Before the meeting, Roque was quoted as saying that Manila aims to bring down the tariff rate on Philippine goods down to “zero tariff.”

Trump announced a 90-day pause on the higher reciprocal tariffs the US imposed on most countries on April 9 but the blanket 10 percent duty on all its trading partners remains.