ASEAN ministers tackle US tariff exemptions at agri meet

By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora, Philippine News Agency

UNITED. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. joins the Southeast Asian Agriculture ministers at the opening of the 47th Meeting of the ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry in Pasay City on Wednesday (Oct. 1, 2025). The ministers are expected to tackle the US tariff exemptions during the two-day meet, which ends on Thursday (Oct. 2). (PNA photo by Joyce Ann L. Rocamora)

MANILA – Negotiating exemptions on the United States’ tariffs is among the pressing issues set to be discussed in the ongoing 47th Meeting of the ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry in Pasay City, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said Wednesday.

“We’re here to hopefully find ways to negotiate with America. The US delegation has mentioned yesterday (Tuesday) that there might be certain exemptions in the imposed tariffs and that is part of what we will identify during this meeting,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr. told reporters in an interview on the sidelines of the event.

ASEAN earlier expressed “deep concern” in April over Washington’s unilateral tariffs, warning of uncertainties and challenges for businesses, particularly micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

The regional bloc said this unprecedented imposition is bound to disrupt global trade and investment flows as well as “hinder economic progress” in the region, particularly less developed economies, and the long-standing ASEAN-US economic and trade relationship.

In 2024, the US stood as ASEAN’s largest foreign direct investment source and second largest trading partner.

The Philippines is hosting the two-day high-level meeting in Pasay City from Oct. 1 to 2, with Tiu Laurel Jr. serving as the chair.

Also this week, the Philippines will head the meeting among agriculture ministers of the ASEAN-Plus Three (APT), which includes China, Japan, and South Korea.

As chair, Tiu Laurel said the Philippines would advance the ASEAN target of positioning the region as one of the world’s biggest food producers by 2045.

“We will champion climate-smart, innovation-driven agriculture; strengthen collaboration with our development partners; and promote inclusive value chains that empower our farmers and fisherfolk,” he said.

“Together, we can translate the ASEAN shared vision in tangible outcomes that benefit not only policymakers but also the farmers in our fields, the fisher folks in our seas and the families that rely on them for food on their tables,” he said.