The Philippine government announced Thursday its decision to implement zero tariffs on a select list of products imported from the United States, a move aimed at significantly lowering the cost of essential goods for Filipino consumers. This initiative, clarified by Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Secretary Frederick Go, is specifically designed to make items such as medicines, pork, chicken, and fish more affordable.
During a press briefing in Malacañang alongside Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro, Secretary Go emphasized that this measure is highly targeted and will not adversely affect vital Philippine sectors, including agriculture and fisheries.
“The purpose of allowing these tariff-free imports is to lower the prices of goods in the Philippines,” Secretary Go stated. “For example, if we import medicines without tariffs, the cost of medicine will decrease. If we bring in affordable feeds, the prices of pork, chicken, and fish will also go down. Our goal is to reduce the overall cost of living.”
Secretary Go further clarified that the zero-tariff concessions, agreed upon by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and U.S. President Donald Trump during President Marcos’s official visit to Washington, D.C. from July 20 to 22, 2025, apply exclusively to products that the Philippines either does not produce or produces in minimal quantities. This strategic approach ensures the protection and stability of local industries.
“We carefully considered this to ensure that increasing the number of suppliers for pharmaceuticals, for instance, will lead to lower prices. Medicines in the Philippines are currently expensive,” Go explained. “If these were imported with tariffs, the prices would be even higher. When medicines are tariff-free, it will bring down their cost in our country.”
Among the products on which the Philippines has agreed to impose zero tariffs are US-made goods such as automobiles, medicines, soy (primarily used for livestock feed), and wheat.
The Philippine government remains steadfast in its commitment to safeguarding the interests of its agriculture, fisheries, and other key economic sectors while simultaneously working to ease the financial burden on its citizens.
