The 19% tariff rate on Philippine exports to the United States, agreed upon during the meeting between President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington D.C., is provisional, Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Jose Manuel “Babe” Romualdez said on Thursday.
In a radio interview with dzRH, Romualdez said the matter may still be subject to adjustment before the August 1 deadline.
“‘Yung 1 percent na ‘yan ay parang pag-appease lang ‘yan. Parang sinabi ni President Trump, okay, gawin natin 19 percent ‘yan pero gawin nating free importation ng American goods sa Pilipinas,”Romualdez said in an interview on DZRH.
President Marcos had a three-day official visit to the United States to tackle key issues in Philippine-U.S. relations, including trade and investment, defense and security cooperation, and the welfare of overseas Filipinos. The visit also aimed to strengthen bilateral ties and promote economic opportunities for both nations.
Romualdez noted that the President’s economic team, led by Secretary Frederick Go, Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs, continues to coordinate with U.S. trade officials.
“In fact, mayroon mga government officials ng US na pupunta diyan na hopefully within the next couple of days at pag-uusapan nila ‘yung tariff. Ika-clarify natin exactly kung ano ‘yung ating agreement na puwede nating i-finalize. Remember, we have until August 1 to finalize everything,” the ambassador said.
Romualdez said, “So, medyo relaxed lang tayo dahil ‘di pa naman ‘yan ang final figure na pinag-uusapan natin…We’re happy that at least it’s lower than the 20 that is being given to almost everybody. But at the same time, we’re also going to look at the details on how we will be able to fine-tune it so that possibly we can lower it.”
At the same time, the ambassador assured that farmers and the agricultural sector are protected and that agricultural products are not part of the tariff concessions. He explained that only goods that the Philippines does not produce—or produces in very small amounts—are being considered for zero tariffs.
The Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. maintained that the visit was a success. President Trump even called President Marcos a tough negotiator.
“So, itong gusto ko lang ulitin na itong umpisa na 19 percent, eh nasa negotiation stage pa rin ‘yan. ‘Yung announcement nila just to really give an indication. In fact, ang tingin namin dito sa visit na ito was a very successful one,” Romualdez said.
“Nakita naman ninyo sa TV… ito rin sa tariff, nasabi nga ni President Trump na tough negotiator ito si President Marcos,” he added.
Trump loves Filipinos
Romualdez also shared that President Trump mentioned that “I love Filipinos,” and noted how the former U.S. leader praised Filipino-Americans working at his golf club.
The ambassador emphasized that the tariff issue is just one of many items on the growing U.S.–Philippine economic agenda.
On the status of undocumented Filipinos in the U.S., Romualdez urged them to regularize their status or consider voluntary repatriation if necessary.
“Kung wala silang ginawang masama eh by that I mean wala silang kaso na lumalabas sa computer. Obviously, nagka-exchange of information na ngayon eh. So, kung mayroon silang kasong ganoon, iklaro nilang mabuti na wala na ‘yun,” Romualdez said. | PND
