PH agri products now exempted from US tariffs

MANILA, November 19 ------ Majority of Philippine agricultural exports now enjoy zero tariff in the United States, of which value was over a billion US dollars in 2024.

Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Sec. Frederick Go said US President Donald Trump has issued an executive order that agricultural products that are not grown or produced in the US are exempted from the reciprocal tariff. And many of the Philippines' exports are not grown in the US. "It's good news... this is good for the country, it's good for the farmers," Go said.

Trade Secretary Cristina Roque said this development will provide relief to exporters and to the local agri industry as well. This will also boost demand and price stability for the products. "The exemption helps protect livelihoods, preserve jobs across our agricultural value chain, and creates opportunities for communities that rely heavily on exports," said Roque. She added that some of the products exempted include coconut copra oil, coconut water, desiccated coconut, fruit juices, processed pineapples, confectionary goods, fresh and processed bananas, tuna fillets, and dried fruits.

With this, 46 percent of total exports to the US are now exempted from the reciprocal tariff. Semiconductors were already exempted from US tariffs. The other exports will be subjected to the 19 percent tariff. The order from the US also covers other countries, which will also enjoy similar favorable tariff treatment. The Philippine officials said they are working to make the local industry more competitive to deliver better products. One of the key programs is to help the coconut industry, the biggest agri export to the US. "We are working closely with the Department of Agriculture, in particular for example, for coconut products. We have the coconut development industry fund that we are fully utilizing," said Usec. Ceferino Rodolfo of the Board of Investments.

Both Go and Roque added that they are also working to exempt other products from the US reciprocal tariff. A free trade agreement with the US however may not happen anytime soon, but free trade agreements with the European Union, United Arab Emirates, Canada, and Chile are in the horizon.

Source: news.abs-cbn.com