The United States has temporarily extended a 10-percent tariff on Philippine products until Aug. 7, 2025, according to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
It was lower than the 19-percent tariff on Philippine exports announced by US President Donald Trump, effective Aug. 1, 2025.
DTI Secretary Cristina Roque said the agency was not relying solely on the temporary reprieve and was actively implementing measures to protect local exporters, particularly micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), from the impact of an expected 19 percent tariff hike.
“On the part of the Philippine government, we will continue with our talks with the US, and hopefully we can come up with a mutually beneficial deal the soonest possible time,” Roque said.
“In the meantime, we will continue to expand our trade network to provide more business opportunities and enhanced market access for our exporters,” she said.
Roque said the DTI was prepared to help exporters access new markets, improve product competitiveness, and explore opportunities locally and globally.
Among the DTI’s interventions is the mobilization of its foreign trade offices to identify new buyers and open market opportunities across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. These offices are working in coordination with embassies and trade attachés to fast-track connections for affected exporters.
The DTI is also intensifying trade missions and market-matching activities to help local businesses establish new export linkages, she said at the sidelines of the 31st National Retail Conference and Expo 2025.
Roque said the department was expanding support programs focused on product development, standards compliance, and access to financing, ensuring exporters can meet evolving international requirements and stay competitive in the global market.
She also cited the Philippines’ push to diversify trade through new and pending free trade agreements, including the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the UAE and ongoing negotiations with Israel and Chile.
The US tariff is scheduled to rise to 19 percent after Aug. 7 unless a new agreement is reached.
Roque said the DTI remained committed to helping Filipino exporters remain resilient and competitive regardless of the outcome.
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