PH, US to Pursue Concrete Measures on Trade and Tariff Issues Amid 17% Duty Hike

Top officials from the Philippines and the United States have agreed to take concrete steps toward resolving ongoing trade tensions, following the U.S. government’s imposition of a 17% tariff on Philippine exports.

The agreement came after a high-level meeting in Washington, D.C. on May 2, led by Frederick Go, the Philippines’ Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs; Trade Secretary Cristina Aldeguer-Roque; and Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez. They met with U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer to discuss fair and reciprocal trade cooperation.

Go emphasized that the Philippine delegation prioritized protecting local industries during negotiations and expressed hope that the talks would result in trade arrangements beneficial to both nations. However, he did not confirm whether any tariff reductions were finalized.

The U.S. had earlier rolled out a global tariff policy under President Donald Trump, placing the Philippines under a 17% rate—reportedly the lowest among affected Southeast Asian countries. Although the tariff has raised alarms in Manila, Trump later issued a 90-day reprieve for most countries, excluding China, which will expire in early July.

Despite the lack of specific policy outcomes, both delegations expressed optimism about strengthening trade and economic ties, noting their shared commitment to mutual growth and strategic cooperation.

According to DEPDev (formerly NEDA), the current tariff structure may have only a minimal net effect on the Philippine economy unless further concessions are made.