United States President Donald Trump raised the tariff rate on Philippine exports to 20 percent effective Aug. 1, 2025. This is higher than the 17 percent rate he announced in April and the prevailing 10 percent.
“It is a Great Honor for me to send you this letter in that it demonstrates the strength and commitment of out Trading Relationship, and the fact that the United States of America has agreed to continue working with the Philippines, despite having a significant Trade Deficit with your great Country. Nevertheless, we have decided to move forward with you, but only with more balanced, and fair, TRADE,” Trump said in his letter to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., published on Trust Social, a social media platform owned by Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG).
“Our relationship has been, unfortunately, far from Reciprocal. Starting on August 1, 2025, we will charge the Philippines a Tariff on only 20% on any and all Philippine products sent into the United States, separate from all Sectoral Tariffs,” the letter added.
Trump also threatened to impose additional tariffs if the Philippines increased its own tariffs on U.S. goods.
“If for any reason you decide to raise your Tariffs, then, whatever the number you choose to raise them by, will be added onto the 20% that we charge,” he said.
The U.S. also announced 30 percent tariff rates on Algeria, Iraq, Libya and Sri Lanka, and 25 percent on Brunei and Moldova.
The tariff rate for Moldova decreased from 31 percent to 25 percent and for Iraq from 39 percent to 30 percent. The tariff for Sri Lanka would be cut from 44 percent to 30 percent.
“TARIFFS WILL START BEING PAID ON AUGUST 1, 2025. There has been no change to this date, and there will be no change,” Trump said. “No extensions will be granted.”
Despite the increased tariffs for the Philippines, the country would still have the second-lowest rate in Southeast Asia, next to Singapore’s 10 percent.
