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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Philippines must show it is not violating laws amid negotiations over US-imposed 12.5% tariff

Philippines must show it is not violating laws amid negotiations over US-imposed 12.5% tariff

Published Aug 6, 2026 03:57 pm
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. meets US President Donald Trump at the White House during his official visit in Washington, D.C. (Photo courtesy of Malacañang)
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. meets US President Donald Trump at the White House during his official visit in Washington, D.C. (Photo courtesy of Malacañang)
While the Philippines seeks a slight reduction in the 12.5-percent tariff imposed by the United States on its exports, the government must prove that the country is complying with the law.
Malacañang said the government is negotiating to reduce the 12.5-percent tariff to 10 percent.
Washington slapped Manila with a 12.5 percent tariff last month after the Trump administration determined that the Philippines had failed to prevent the entry of goods produced with forced labor.
Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the Marcos administration is confident it can prove that "we are not violating the law and that we do not tolerate forced labor."
"Ang atin pong pamahalaan ay nakikipag-usap na po, at ito rin po ay nabanggit ni DTI Secretary Cris Roque at lahat po ng kailangang ibigay na impormasayon na hindi po tayo lumalabag sa batas at hindi po tayo pumapayag sa forced labor (Our government is already in discussions, and this was also mentioned by DTI Secretary Cristina Roque. We are providing all the necessary information to show that we are not violating the law and that we do not tolerate forced labor)," Castro said in a Palace briefing on Thursday, Aug. 6.
The Palace official underscored that there are laws that could prove that forced labor is prohibited.
"Marami po tayong batas na nagpapatunay na ito ay ipinagbabawal at ito ay may parusa kapag nahuli na nagkakaroon ang employers at nagpapatupad ng forced labor (We have many laws that prove forced labor is prohibited, and employers who are found to be engaging in or enforcing forced labor face penalties)," Castro said.
She further said that no timeline has been provided yet, but negotiations and coordination with the US Trade Representative (USTR) are continuing.
Castro also said the government is optimistic that the matter would be resolved within the year.
"Kailangan natin maging optimistic, kailangan natin ipakita talaga na hindi tayo lumalabag sa batas (We need to remain optimistic. We need to clearly demonstrate that we are not violating the law)," the Palace spokesperson said.
"With all the laws that we have and the laws being implemented here in our country, we can say that, we can prove them that the accusation that we are into forced labor is wrong," Castro added.

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President Marcos USTR tariffs forced labor Trump administration
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