A DELEGATION from the Philippines led by Frederick Go, Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs and chair of the Economic Development Committee, is headed for Washington D.C. next week to negotiate a better tariff deal with the United States.
Go will be accompanied by Trade Secretary Cristina Roque and Ceferino Rodolfo, undersecretary of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and managing head of the Board of Investments, the Inquirer learned.
Their visit comes as US President Donald Trump imposed a 20-percent tariff on Philippine goods entering the American market, effective August 1.
Trump informed President Marcos of the new tariff – higher than the original 17-percent reciprocal tariff announced in April during the so-called “Liberation Day” – in a letter issued July 9, 2025.
The leaders of Brunei, Algeria, Libya, Iraq, and Moldova received similar letters spelling out duties ranging from 20 percent to 30 percent.
So far, 20 countries have received Trump’s letters on the updated rates, including key US allies Japan and South Korea, as well as Indonesia, Bangladesh and Thailand.
Trump said in the letter that if counterparts changed their trade policies, Washington might consider an adjustment to its stance, thus the trade talks next week. (Tina Arceo-Dumlao © Philippine Daily Inquirer)
