Trump reduces tariffs on PH imports from 20% to 19%

National

U.S. President Donald Trump has agreed to a slight reduction in tariffs on Philippine imports following a bilateral meeting with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the White House on July 22.

The meeting, which Trump called “very productive,” paved the way for what he described as the near-finalization of a major trade agreement.

“We’re very close to finishing a trade deal — a big trade deal, actually,” Trump said in a report by Agence France-Presse.

While initially threatening a 20 percent tariff on all Philippine goods starting August 1, Trump announced via Truth Social that the figure would be lowered to 19 percent.

He said the deal includes the Philippines opening its markets entirely to U.S. products with “zero tariffs,” calling it “a beautiful visit.”

Despite ongoing military cooperation between the two countries, the trade tension had recently raised concerns.

The Philippines, a key U.S. defense ally in Southeast Asia, is increasingly involved in regional security issues, particularly in the South China Sea.

“All of what we consider part of the modernization of the Philippine military is really a response to the circumstances that surround the situation in the South China Sea,” Marcos explained during the meeting. “Our strongest, closest, most reliable ally has always been the United States.”(Edmie Rocsan, UV COmm Intern)