PH not throwing in the towel yet, seeks talks with US on 20% tariffs

By Darryl John Esguerra, Philippine News Agency

Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs (SAPIEA) Secretary Frederick Go confirmed that a high-level delegation, including officials from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), will travel to Washington D.C. to engage with US trade representatives. (PHOTO: Screengrab from RTVM/Youtube)

MANILA – The Philippine government will hold talks with the United States next week to discuss the newly imposed 20 percent tariff on Philippine exports, as part of efforts to secure fairer trade terms, a top Palace economic official said Thursday.

Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs (SAPIEA) Secretary Frederick Go confirmed that a high-level delegation, including officials from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), will travel to Washington D.C. to engage with US trade representatives.

Go said the government is “concerned” that the US has decided to impose a 20 percent tariff on Philippine exports.

“The fact remains, however, that the 20 percent rate is the second lowest among all reciprocal tariffs that the US has imposed on the region – the lowest being the 10 percent off, Singapore,” he said in a press briefing in Malacañang.

Go clarified that the trip was already scheduled even before the latest US tariff announcement, but the issue is now a top agenda item.

He also said that the country’s top exports—semiconductors and electronics— are exempted from the new tariff scheme, which is set to take effect in August.

He said the US officials are still reviewing whether to maintain these exemptions, but for now, the Philippines is in a relatively favorable position.

Beyond short-term adjustments, Go noted that the administration is laying the groundwork for broader trade arrangements that will support Filipino industries and expand global market access.

“We remain committed to continuing negotiations with the United States in good faith to pursue a bilateral comprehensive economic agreement or, if possible, an FTA [free trade agreement],” he said.