Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque and Special Assistant to the President for Investments and Economic Affairs (SAPIEA) Secretary Frederick Go will travel to the United States next week to negotiate the country’s tariff rate under President Donald Trump’s executive order.

Roque told reporters on the sidelines of the International Franchise Expo 2025 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City Friday that their official trip to the US will be from April 29 to May 2.

The Philippine officials will be meeting the US Trade Representative (USTR) and the Secretary of Commerce in Washington, D.C.

“Our goal in the meeting is to bring down [the tariff rate], and of course, to get what's best for our country,” Roque said.

She said the Philippines may offer increasing the volume of its imports from the US like soybeans and other agricultural products, while also balancing with the local agriculture sector.

On Tuesday, Roque and Go met with various industries for a stakeholders’ consultation as preparation for the upcoming meeting with US officials.

Go said he is confident that both countries would arrive at “mutually advantageous” tariff arrangements. 

PNA PHOTO