Roque, Go to visit US next week for tariff talks

MANILA, Philippines — Trade Secretary Cristina Roque and Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Frederick Go are set to visit the United States next week for negotiations to bring down the reciprocal tariff imposed on Philippine exports.

Roque told reporters during the opening of the International Franchise Expo 2025 last Friday that they would be meeting with the US Trade Representative and Secretary of Commerce during the trip to Washington from April 29 to May 2.

“Of course, our goal in the meeting is to bring down (the tariff), to get what’s best for our country,” she said.

Roque said the aim is for the country to enjoy tariffs that are lower than its Southeast Asian neighbors.

“Once our tariff is lower than our neighboring countries, then that gives us an edge in terms of business with the US,” she said.

Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump unleashed reciprocal tariffs on trade partners, including the Philippines, to address so-called trade imbalances.

For Philippine exports, the US imposed a 17-percent reciprocal tariff, the second lowest in Southeast Asia.

The US declared a 90-day pause on the tariffs and brought down the levy to 10 percent for most of its trade partners to give time for negotiations with trade partners.

Roque said that while the government has yet to finalize what it could offer the US in exchange for the call to bring down the reciprocal tariff, the country is looking to buy more American goods like soybeans and frozen meat.

“But we need to balance everything also with the agriculture sector,” she said.

Pushing for a free trade agreement with the US also remains part of the options for the government.

She said the economic team is set to meet before the US trip to finalize its position.

Earlier this week, Roque and Go met with exporters to get their insights as part of the preparations for the US trip.

While the government wants to secure lower tariffs before the 90-day pause ends, Roque said the government is also looking for other markets for the country’s exports.

“It’s always good to have many options rather than just one,” she said.

Last year, the US was the biggest market for Philippine exports, accounting for 17 percent of the total.