US tariff cut a ‘starting point,’ more negotiations ahead - Romualdez

Metro Manila, Philippines - The recently announced 19% tariff on certain Philippine exports to the United States, though seen by some as a disappointing move, should not be viewed in isolation nor as the definitive outcome of US-Philippine trade negotiations, said Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez.

In an interview with NewsWatch Plus following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s high-profile visit to the White House, Romualdez said the tariff deal is still under negotiation and should be viewed in the broader context of deepening strategic and economic ties.

“Well, it is… hindi pa tapos 'yan eh,” Romualdez said. “There are a lot of details that have to be still thrashed out. It’s just—I would call it a beginning balance.”

[Translation: It’s not final. There are still many details to iron out. This is just the starting point.]

The interview came amid criticism from some lawmakers, including Senator Panfilo Lacson, who called the 19% tariff “the worst insult a host can throw at his guest.” Senator Lacson also urged the Philippines to consider diversifying its trade partnerships.

But Romualdez was quick to temper that narrative.

“That’s Senator Lacson’s view. We cannot look at the trees, we have to look at the forest,” he said.

While the tariff represents only a percentage-point decrease from the last , Romualdez underscored that it’s part of an ongoing negotiation process, not a finalized deal. He noted that other ASEAN members are still subject to higher tariffs and that the Philippines remains in a favorable position.

“President Trump actually said… I cannot do anything lower at this time until we find something that will be good common ground,” Romualdez said.

The ambassador also noted that the current level of Philippine exports to the US — only 16% of the country’s total — means that the overall economic impact may be smaller than critics suggest. More important, he said, is the evolving strategic partnership between the two nations, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region.

“We can have all the beautiful economic stuff,” Romualdez warned, “but kung hindi tayo secure, that creates instability.”

[Translation: But if we are not secure, that creates instability.]

He said no binding agreements have been signed regarding the tariffs, and noted that negotiations, especially concerning tariff-free importation of US products into the Philippines, are still underway.

“Wala pa naman tayong pinipirmahan eh,” he noted. “Pinag-uusapan pa lang natin kung paano natin gagawin.”

[Translation: We haven’t signed anything yet. We’re still in talks about how to move forward.]

On Marcos’ conduct during the meeting, Romualdez praised the president’s assertiveness, especially in protecting sensitive sectors such as agriculture.

Romualdez called for patience and pragmatism as negotiations continue.

“It’s not an end-all, be-all,” Romualdez said.