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Exports

Philippines to Protect Key Agricultural Commodities in Trade Talks with the US

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The Philippines will safeguard rice, corn, sugar, pork, chicken, and fish in ongoing trade negotiations with the United States, ensuring the protection of local producers. Agriculture secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. stated that Philippine trade officials have assured the Department of Agriculture that safeguarding domestic producers remains a top priority. This clarification comes after US President Donald Trump announced that the Philippines has agreed to a 19 percent tariff on its exports to the US while allowing American goods duty-free entry into the country.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Philippines will protect key agricultural commodities, including rice, corn, sugar, pork, chicken, and fish, in trade talks with the US.
  • Philippine trade officials have assured the Department of Agriculture that safeguarding domestic producers remains a top priority.
  • No concessions have been made that would endanger domestic producers, according to Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs, Frederick Go.
  • The Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food Inc. (Pcafi) stated that proposed tariff concessions on wheat and soy imports from the US are unlikely to harm local agriculture.
  • The Meat Importers and Traders Association (MITA) welcomed zero-duty access for American goods, which could allow the entry of more meat products from the US.
  • The United Coconut Association of the Philippines (UCAP) warned that the 19 percent US tariff on Philippine coconut exports could curb demand, but remains hopeful for regulatory changes.
  • The Philippines recorded agricultural trade deficits with the US in 2023 and 2024, at $2.36 billion and $1.95 billion, respectively.
  • Total agricultural trade in 2024 reached $27.22 billion, posting an annual increase of 11.8 percent.
  • Agricultural exports accounted for 28.5 percent of total agricultural trade in 2024, while agricultural imports accounted for 71.5 percent of total agricultural trade.

Statistics:

  • Philippine agricultural trade deficits with the US in 2023 and 2024: $2.36 billion and $1.95 billion, respectively.
  • Total agricultural trade in 2024: $27.22 billion.
  • Annual increase in total agricultural trade in 2024: 11.8 percent.
  • Share of agricultural exports to total agricultural trade in 2024: 28.5 percent.
  • Share of agricultural imports to total agricultural trade in 2024: 71.5 percent.

Sources:

  • "Rice, corn, sugar, pork, chicken and fish will remain protected in the ongoing trade negotiations with the United States" (Source: Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., Agriculture Secretary)
  • "Philippine trade officials have assured the DA that the top priority for Philippine trade negotiators is protecting our local producers" (Source: Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., Agriculture Secretary)
  • "No concessions have been made that would endanger domestic producers" (Source: Frederick Go, Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs)
  • "Proposed tariff concessions on wheat and soy imports from the US are unlikely to harm local agriculture" (Source: Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food Inc. (Pcafi))
  • "Zero-duty access for American goods could allow the entry of more meat products from the US" (Source: Meat Importers and Traders Association (MITA))
  • "The 19 percent US tariff on Philippine coconut exports could curb demand" (Source: United Coconut Association of the Philippines (UCAP))
  • "Philippine agricultural trade deficits with the US in 2023 and 2024: $2.36 billion and $1.95 billion, respectively" (Source: Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA))
  • "Total agricultural trade in 2024: $27.22 billion" (Source: Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA))
  • "Annual increase in total agricultural trade in 2024: 11.8 percent" (Source: Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA))
  • "Share of agricultural exports to total agricultural trade in 2024: 28.5 percent" (Source: Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA))
  • "Share of agricultural imports to total agricultural trade in 2024: 71.5 percent" (Source: Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA))

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