US President Donald Trump sent a letter to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. informing the latter that he is imposing a higher tariff rate of 20% on Philippine goods imported to America despite earlier negotiations to lower the initially announced duty of 17% in April.

Trump says the tariff on Philippine exports to the US is necessary to address what he calls Washington’s ‘unsustainable’ trade deficit.

After U.S. President Donald Trump slapped a 20% tariff on Philippine goods, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s’ special assistant for economic affairs Frederick Go said that while the Philippines is concerned,

In a post on Truth Social, President Trump said these tariffs on the Philippines will kick in from August 1 and will cover all goods imported from the country.

The Philippine government was taken aback by US President Donald Trump’s decision to slap a higher 20% tariff rate on the country’s goods exported to America despite earlier efforts to haggle for lower duties for products imported from Manila.

Trump announced the United States would impose new tariffs on imports from several additional countries as part of his drive to reduce the trade deficit and promote fair trade.

President Trump is again amping up his trade threats, unveiling a new batch of letters to country leaders outlining tariffs on goods imported from their countries beginning in August. Trump on Wednesday posted to social media six letters,

Sweeping tariffs set to be imposed by President Donald Trump next month may cast a pall over his top diplomat's first official trip to Asia.