Philippine exports of certain agricultural products, such as coconuts, pineapples, bananas, and mangoes, will be exempt from the 19% USA reciprocal tariffs. This welcome development will boost demand and price stability for these goods, which will help farmers and agricultural businesses support rural communities.
This important outcome is the result of persistent and strategic lobbying by the trade negotiators of the Philippines, along with other countries that export to the USA.
With this development, the majority of Philippine agricultural exports to the US will now enjoy favorable and competitive tariff treatment. Based on 2024 data, these products include:
- Coconut (copra) oil, both crude and other than crude – the country’s top agricultural export to the US;
- 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
- Confectionary products
Other agricultural products that are no longer subject to the 19% US tariffs include coffee and tea, cocoa and spices, oranges, tomatoes, beef and some fertilizers.
“These are products that are vital to our farmers and rural economies,” said Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Frederick D. Go. “Their exemption from the 19% tariff will enhance the competitiveness of our agricultural exports, and increase jobs, and strengthen supply chains. This is a significant win for Philippine agriculture and our exporting community.”
According to Trade and Industry Secretary Ma. Cristina A. Roque, “This is good news for our exporters in the Philippines, particularly alongside the exemption of semiconductors from reciprocal tariffs, which account for almost 25% of our exports to the US.” She further highlighted. “The US is one of the Philippines’ major trading partners. We will continue to engage with them not only to further strengthen our bilateral ties, but also to ensure that economic security is included in our trade agenda.”
Secretary
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)
Photo credit: https://www.dti.gov.ph
The tariff exemption was issued through a US Executive Order (EO), which determines that a wide range of agricultural products—many of which the Philippines produces competitively—shall not be subject to the reciprocal tariff imposed under an earlier EO. The decision, released on 14 November 2025, removes these products from the tariff list previously applied under US reciprocal tariff actions, effectively restoring more favorable access for Philippine agricultural exports to the American market.
Secretary Go added that he encourages entrepreneurs and companies to invest in the export industries that will benefit from this welcome development.
The exemption of certain agricultural and electronic products protects an estimated US$4 billion in Philippine exports, effectively safeguarding critical industries that underpin national growth and strengthen the country’s resilience against global disruptions.
As of 2024, the US is the Philippines’ third largest trading partner, the top export market and fifth largest import supplier, with bilateral trade totaling USD 20.3 billion, including a USD4 billion trade balance in favor of the Philippines.
Electronic products make up 53% of Philippine exports to the US, with semiconductor shipments valued at USD2.5 to 3 billion – all of which remain exempted from tariffs.
The Philippine Government vows to continue addressing the impact of US unilateral tariffs on exporters, while safeguarding critical industries, and to diversify and expand export markets. It will capitalize on this momentum to pursue further collaboration, strengthen trade relationships, and ensure sustained growth, competitiveness, and resilience for the country’s exporters.
