Philippines plans to negotiate with U.S. to lower tariffs, envoy to Washington says

The Philippines plans to negotiate with the United States to reduce newly imposed 20% tariffs on its exports, following a directive by President Donald Trump.

The Philippines intends to enter talks with the United States to reduce recently announced tariffs, after Washington raised duties on imports from Manila to 20%, the country’s ambassador to the U.S. said on Thursday.

“We still plan to negotiate those down,” Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez said in a phone message.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday issued new tariff directives for several trading partners, including the Philippines, raising duties to 20%, an increase from the previously announced 17%.

When asked what tariff rate the Philippines would aim for in negotiations, Romualdez replied: “Will see.”

According to data from the U.S. Trade Representative's Office, total trade in goods between the U.S. and the Philippines reached approximately $23.5 billion in 2024. U.S. exports to the Philippines rose slightly to $9.3 billion, up 0.4% from 2023, while imports from the Philippines increased 6.9% to $14.2 billion.

This led to a U.S. trade deficit with the Philippines of $4.9 billion in 2024—a 21.8% rise compared to the previous year.

The office of the Philippine president has not yet issued a response.

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