PHILIPPINE business groups said Washington’s lifting of tariffs on key agricultural products will provide ‘much-needed’ relief to Filipino exporters and farmers, as this is seen to improve demand and stabilize prices of local products.
‘The exemptions will provide much-needed relief to exporters, help safeguard jobs, and strengthen the competitiveness of Philippine products in one of our most important markets,’ Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) President Enunina Mangio said in a statement on Wednesday.
Mangio said PCCI ‘appreciates’ the United States’ continued support and recognition of the Philippines’ ‘trade leadership.’
‘The announcement underscores the strong partnership between our countries and reinforces opportunities for Filipino enterprises to expand,’ added Mangio.
In a separate statement, the Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (Philexport) welcomed the Executive Order issued by US President Donald Trump on November 14,2025 exempting key Philippine agricultural exports from the 19 percent reciprocal tariff.
Products include coconut, coffee, tea, tropical fruits and juices, cocoa, spices, bananas, oranges, tomatoes, beef, and certain fertilizers.
Philexport said this provides exporters with ‘critical relief’ and strengthening the competitiveness of Philippine exports in the United States.
Sergio R. Ortiz-Luis, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer of Philexport, said: ‘This is a positive outcome of our sustained collaboration and engagements with key stakeholders and partners to convey the need for certain exemptions and maintain the competitiveness of Philippine exports, especially those products not locally produced in the US.’
Following this development, the umbrella organization of Philippine exporters said the majority of Philippine agricultural exports to the US will benefit from more favorable tariff conditions.
Based on 2024 data, these products include: coconut oil, both crude and other than crude which is the country’s top agricultural export to the US.
Other products are: fruit juices, processed pineapples, desiccated coconuts; prepared or preserved coconuts; bananas, other than pulp; dried guavas, mangoes, and mangosteen; frozen tuna fillets; rice wafer products, and confectionery products.
Other agricultural exports now exempted include coffee and tea, cocoa and spices, oranges, tomatoes, beef, and selected fertilizers.
As of 2024, the US is the Philippines’ third-largest trading partner, the top export market, and the fifth-largest import supplier, with bilateral trade totaling $20.3 billion.
In addition to the said agricultural products, semiconductor shipments valued at $2.5 billion to $3 billion remain exempted from reciprocal tariffs.
‘Philexport remains committed to working with the Department of Trade and Industry to strengthen U.S. trade relations and bolster the competitiveness of Filipino exporters,’ added Ortiz-Luis.