Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Cristina Roque is open to the proposed extension of trade talks with the United States (US), as the government races to lower the reciprocal tariffs the Philippines is set to face on July 9.

Roque expressed this sentiment on Wednesday, June 18, following her agency’s launch of a new program aimed at addressing the logistical challenges faced by small businesses.

“An extension would be favorable. It would be okay. But, of course, if we really get the tariff lower than 10 percent, why not, right? But, again, everything is under negotiations,” Roque said in a chance interview.

Last week, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the Trump administration could extend trade negotiations with countries that are pursuing deals in “good faith”.

Washington is currently in talks with 17 of its major trading partners aimed at addressing US President Donald Trump’s concerns about supposedly unfair trade practices. So far, the White House has only struck a deal with the United Kingdom (UK).

Roque did not confirm if the Philippines is among the list of countries that could soon finalize a deal with the US, citing the non-disclosure agreement (NDA) the government signed in May.

The DTI chief was among the key delegates from the country during its recent trade talks with the US to discuss concerns regarding the 17 percent reciprocal tariffs on Philippine goods entering the US.

She said then the meeting “went very well” and that the country’s assertions “were well received.”

Fast forward to June, the secretary said the government “doesn’t know yet what the decision of the US will be.”

“Everybody's confident in or hoping to get what we negotiated for because when we went there, it seemed that their feedback was okay,” said Roque.

“Whatever the decision is, we will definitely make everybody aware of this,” she added

The trade secretary earlier told reporters that goal of the meeting was to lower the tariffs slapped to the Philippines, now she remains in “high hopes” that this can be realized.

The government is intent on lowering the country’s tariffs to make local industries more competitive compared to neighboring Southeast Asian countries.

The Philippines, with its 17 percent tariffs, is among the lowest in the region, while its closest neighbors were slapped with among the highest taxes.

Currently, majority of the US trading partners are only slapped with a 10 percent baseline tariff, with the higher reciprocal tariffs suspended until next month.

While the world awaits for the planned resumption of high levies, the DTI is looking to establish a nationwide support system to address the logistics concerns of exporters, importers, and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Under the so-called Supply Chain and Logistics Center (SCLC), which was launched on Wednesday, the DTI is set to provide a seamless bridge between industry players and the country’s leading logistics providers.

The SCLC covers a government hotline that provides real-time assistance on logistics issues, as well as a digital platform that will house relevant supply chain data and decision-making tools, among others.