US grants tariff exemption to Filipino agricultural products, says Manila

By Saadet Gokce

​ISTANBUL (AA) – The Philippines said Tuesday that agricultural products worth more than $1 billion from the Southeast Asian nation would be exempt from US tariffs.

Filipino Trade Secretary Cristina Roque said US President Donald Trump had issued an executive order on Friday granting additional exemptions under US reciprocal tariffs to Manila.

"These exemptions cover agricultural products that are not locally produced in the United States. This is good news for the Philippines, as many of our key agricultural exports to the US have been included," Roque told a news conference, according to the GMA Network.

With the latest executive order, "the majority" of Filipino agricultural exports to the US are "now exempted from reciprocal tariffs," Roque said. Previously, they were subject to a 19% tariff.

The exempted products include goods such as coconut copra oil, coconut water, fruit juices, confectionery goods, processed bananas, tuna fillets, and dried fruits, among others.

Trump's executive order exempted a range of food imports from tariffs, including coffee, beef, and bananas, amid concerns over rising grocery prices in the US.

Last year, the US imported $14.2 billion worth of goods from the Philippines, while Manila imported $9.2 billion worth of products from the world's largest economy, according to the Office of the US Trade Representative.