PH coconut, other agri products exempted from Trump’s 19% tariff

The United States has granted additional exemptions on Philippine products covering key agricultural produce such as coconuts, pineapples, bananas, and mangoes from US President Donald Trump’s 19% reciprocal tariff rate.

This was announced by Trade Secretary Cristina Roque and Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs and incoming Finance Secretary Frederick Go at a press briefing in Makati City on Tuesday.

“Last Friday, November 14, 2025, President Trump issued an Executive Order granting additional exemptions from U.S. reciprocal tariffs. Notably, these exemptions cover agricultural products that are not locally produced in the United States.This is good news for the Philippines, as many of our key agricultural exports to the US have been included,” said Roque.

“I am glad to note that, with this latest Executive Order, the majority of our agricultural exports to the United States are now exempted from reciprocal tariffs. This includes coconut copra oil, coconut water, fruit juices, processed pineapples, desiccated coconuts, confectionery goods, processed bananas, tuna fillets, and dried fruits,” added Roque.

Go, citing US trade data, said that the latest tariff-exempted agricultural products amount to over $1 billion in export value as of 2024.

“Their exemption from the 19% tariff will enhance the competitiveness of our agricultural exports, increase jobs, and strengthen supply chains. This is a significant win for Philippine agriculture and our exporting community,” said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s investment and economic affairs aide.

Among the agricultural exports covered by the tariff exemptions are as follows:

• Coconuts (copra) oil, both crude and other than crude
• Fruit juices
• Processed pineapples 
• Desiccated coconuts
• Prepared or preserved coconuts
• Bananas, other than pulp 
• Dried guavas, mangoes, and mangosteen
• Frozen tuna fillets
• Rice wafer products
• Confectionary products

Other agricultural products that are no longer subject to the 19% US tariffs include coffee and tea, cocoa and spices, oranges, tomatoes, beef, and some fertilizers.

In July, Trump announced a new 19% tariff rate for Philippine goods to the US, which was lower than the 20% rate announced earlier in the same month but was higher than the 17% rate initially imposed by the US president in April. 

Trade Secretary Cristina Roque and Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs and incoming Finance Secretary Frederick Go at a press briefing in Makati City on Tuesday. Ted Cordero/ GMA Integrated News

Electronics and semiconductors

The Philippines’ top export products, electronics and semiconductors, are not covered by Trump’s reciprocal tariff policy.

“This development builds on earlier exemptions extended to semiconductor exports, which represent nearly 25% of our shipments to the US or roughly $2.5 billion to $3 billion annually,” Roque said.

Go, meanwhile, said that the latest development “will definitely boost our agriculture export [sector]… and would encourage investors to make significant investments in the agriculture sector.”

Marcos’ economic aide said that trade negotiations between the US and the Philippines are far from over as the country seeks to exempt more products from tariffs such as garments, travel goods, and furniture. —VAL, GMA Integrated News