In a social media post, Trump said the new tariffs are part of a broader deal in which the Philippines will lift tariffs on US goods and the two countries will cooperate militaryvely.
The decision was reportedly made during a meeting between Trump and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr at the White House on July 22. Mr. Marcos arrived in the US on July 20, as part of a 3-day visit.
"It was a great visit and we have ended our Trade Agreement," Trump wrote on social media, but did not specify the terms of the agreement.
The Philippines has not yet confirmed this information, but if Trump says so, the island nation will face a higher tax rate than the one announced by the US leader in April at 17%.
However, the new 19% tax rate is still lower than the 20% proposed by the US in an unofficial letter to the Philippine leaders in early July.
The Philippines is a relatively small trading partner with the US, exporting about 14.2 billion USD of goods to the US last year, including auto parts, electrical machinery, textiles and coconut oil.
