NATIONAL
Advocates Philippines
PH Secures Tariff Cut In U.S. Trade Talks; Marcos Calls 1% Slash A 'Significant Win'
Photo credit: PCO
Following direct negotiations with U.S. President Donald Trump, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced a reduction in tariff rates on Philippine exports to the United States—from 20 percent to 19 percent.
Speaking to members of the Philippine media delegation before departing Washington, Marcos underscored the importance of the one-percent decrease, calling it a “significant achievement” in terms of trade value and long-term economic impact.
“One percent might seem small at first glance,” he said, “but in real trade terms, it marks a meaningful step forward.”
With the new rate in place, the Philippines now holds the second-lowest U.S. tariff rate among Southeast Asian nations, just behind Singapore, which enjoys a 10 percent rate under a bilateral Free Trade Agreement. For comparison, tariffs for other ASEAN countries range from 19 to 49 percent—highlighting the Philippines’ improved position in the competitive trade landscape.
Philippine Ambassador to Washington Jose Manuel Romualdez welcomed the outcome but said work continues. “This is a good deal for now, but there’s still room to grow. More discussions are expected,” he noted.
The trade development was also highlighted during a joint press conference at the White House, where Trump praised Marcos for his assertiveness at the negotiating table. “He’s a very strong negotiator. We’ll probably agree on more soon,” Trump said. “He loves your country.”
As part of the agreement, President Marcos confirmed that the Philippines will remove tariffs on American automobile imports—an effort to open the local market further to U.S. manufacturers. In return, the country will increase its imports of soy products, wheat, and pharmaceutical goods from the United States.
“This means cheaper medicine for Filipinos,” Marcos added, stressing the potential benefits for local consumers.
While some technical details are still being finalized, both sides view the agreement as a key milestone in strengthening bilateral ties. The U.S. remains one of the Philippines’ largest trading partners, with two-way trade exceeding $20 billion in 2024 alone.
President Marcos said the move is part of broader efforts to make the Philippines more globally competitive while improving the affordability and accessibility of key goods at home.
Speaking to members of the Philippine media delegation before departing Washington, Marcos underscored the importance of the one-percent decrease, calling it a “significant achievement” in terms of trade value and long-term economic impact.
“One percent might seem small at first glance,” he said, “but in real trade terms, it marks a meaningful step forward.”
With the new rate in place, the Philippines now holds the second-lowest U.S. tariff rate among Southeast Asian nations, just behind Singapore, which enjoys a 10 percent rate under a bilateral Free Trade Agreement. For comparison, tariffs for other ASEAN countries range from 19 to 49 percent—highlighting the Philippines’ improved position in the competitive trade landscape.
Philippine Ambassador to Washington Jose Manuel Romualdez welcomed the outcome but said work continues. “This is a good deal for now, but there’s still room to grow. More discussions are expected,” he noted.
The trade development was also highlighted during a joint press conference at the White House, where Trump praised Marcos for his assertiveness at the negotiating table. “He’s a very strong negotiator. We’ll probably agree on more soon,” Trump said. “He loves your country.”
As part of the agreement, President Marcos confirmed that the Philippines will remove tariffs on American automobile imports—an effort to open the local market further to U.S. manufacturers. In return, the country will increase its imports of soy products, wheat, and pharmaceutical goods from the United States.
“This means cheaper medicine for Filipinos,” Marcos added, stressing the potential benefits for local consumers.
While some technical details are still being finalized, both sides view the agreement as a key milestone in strengthening bilateral ties. The U.S. remains one of the Philippines’ largest trading partners, with two-way trade exceeding $20 billion in 2024 alone.
President Marcos said the move is part of broader efforts to make the Philippines more globally competitive while improving the affordability and accessibility of key goods at home.
Jul 23, 2025
We are dedicated storytellers with a passion for bringing your brand to life. Our services range from news and media features to brand promotion and collaborations.
Interested? Visit our
Contact Us page for more information. To learn more about what we offer, check out our latest article on services and opportunities.
