PH China imports rise, US exports up

Donald Trump announced a tariff spree last April 2, his so-called "Liberation Day."

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While deferred by 90 days, Philippine exports to the US are poised to be slapped with a 17-percent reciprocal tariff, prompting negotiations this week between Filipino and American trade and economic officials in Washington, D.C., in a bid to lower the levy.

Reciprocal tariffs would be imposed on trading partners with which the US has a trade deficit, and it does not help that Philippine exports to America grew 11.8 percent year-on-year to $3.22 billion in the first quarter—outpacing total export growth of 5.7 percent during the same period.

March exports to the US jumped by 12.8 percent year-on-year to $1.11 billion, making America the top destination for Philippine-made goods in the first three months.