The Philippines plans to intensify its exports to the United States next year after the U.S. exempted over $1 billion worth of its agricultural products from the 19% reciprocal tariff, an official said.
Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel on Wednesday welcomed the Trump administration’s new tariff exemptions, saying the move has eased the sector’s earlier ‘anxiety.’
“Now that the path is clear, people can plan, invest, and expand. So that’s good,” Laurel said.
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Cristina Roque said on Tuesday that the products covered under the new U.S. policy include coconuts, fruit juices, confectionery items, tuna fillets, dried fruits, and other goods.
Government data shows that these exempted exports brought over $1 billion in revenue last year.
Laurel said the DA intends to expand programs that boost agricultural output, supporting the government’s broader push to increase exports. He noted that the country’s agricultural export strategy will adopt a whole-of-government approach, with agencies like the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) helping promote Philippine products abroad.
At the core of this strategy, the government will select 10 crops to serve as flagship exports. While Laurel did not provide further specifics, he emphasized these would be products the Philippines can supply reliably without interruptions.
In addition, the DTI said it will coordinate with the DA to strengthen the competitiveness of coconut products, which remain the Philippines’ leading agricultural exports to the U.S.
In July, Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos proposed lifting tariffs on U.S.-made cars, soy, wheat, and pharmaceutical goods in exchange for lowering the Philippines’ tariff rate from 20% to 19%. Negotiations for a trade agreement between the Philippines and the U.S. are still underway.
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