MANILA – Talks on the 19% tariff on Philippine goods announced by former United States President Donald Trump are “still a work in progress,” as Manila and Washington explore ways to reduce the levy, the Philippines’ top envoy to the US said Monday.

In a report, Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez said both sides are seeking an “acceptable” deal, with the Philippines negotiating for more exemptions on products deemed taxable by the US.

“I think most of them have been granted,” Romualdez told reporters at the US-Philippines Society Forum in Makati City. “But we will continue to try to find ways and means to be able to find again areas where the tariff will not be so steep because of (our bilateral) cooperation.”

“It’s a continuing work in progress,” he added.

Romualdez noted that following a meeting between Trump and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in July last year, the US had set the tariff for Philippine goods at 19%, just below the 20% previously proposed, while US goods entering the Philippines would remain largely tax-free.

He explained that zero tariffs on US products would apply only to certain sectors, such as automobiles, but would exclude agricultural goods to protect local farmers.

Key Philippine exports to the US include electronic products such as semiconductors, automobile parts, textiles and garments, wheat, animal feeds, and coconut oil.

“While the 19% tariff is there, we were able to negotiate a large number of exemptions for many of our exports, leading to the fact that I’m told our exports this year to the United States have been the highest in years,” Romualdez said in a keynote speech to diplomats, senior government officials, and business leaders.

Romualdez also cited Washington’s support for the Luzon Economic Corridor, a US-envisioned growth region in the northern Philippines aimed at boosting trade and establishing an economic hub through infrastructure and other projects.

He added that Manila and Washington’s economic partnership has expanded to include semiconductor supply chain resilience, refining critical minerals, and developing civil nuclear power capabilities.

“Contrary to what some people are saying, our trade relations with the United States is in good shape,” Romualdez said.