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A United States (US) trade mission of 37 American agricultural firms and associations will meet with Filipino importers on the sidelines of the delegation's visit to Hong Kong next month, as the US government moves to expand access to its key exports.
The United States Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA-FAS) said in a statement that its trade mission to Hong Kong will run from May 12 to 16.
It will include representatives from businesses and industry organizations as well as high-ranking officials from five state departments of agriculture.
FAS Acting Associate Administrator Mark Slupek, who will lead the trade mission, said its visit to Hong Kong is vital to connect American farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses to a “key gateway for US exports”.
“This mission will create new opportunities for American products and strengthen U.S. agriculture’s reputation for quality and innovation,” said Slupek.
Hong Kong was cited as a gateway to South China, Macau, and Southeast Asia industries.
Its itinerary in Hong Kong will feature trade mission participants engaging in business-to-business meetings with a “visiting buyer delegation from the Philippines”.
While it did not disclose other details, FAS said US exporters are expected to see “significant opportunities” for a wide range of agricultural commodities.
Based on the FAS’ website, this covers seafood, tree nuts, fresh fruit, poultry, pork, beef, and other products.
The upcoming meeting between American agriculture companies and Philippine importers coincides with the government's ongoing deliberations on the possibility of increasing agricultural imports from the US.
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Cristina Roque said recently that the country is prepared to import a higher volume of commodities such as frozen meat and soybeans.
This could be part of concessions the US could ask in exchange for lowering the 17-percent reciprocal tariffs imposed on Philippine goods.
“Not that we're going to offer them, but if they ask for it, we're willing to offer it,” Roque told reporters on Monday, April 28.
FAS data showed that the Philippines was the US’ top export market for soybean meal, with a total value of $1.01 billion.
Meanwhile, its exports of beef and beef products and pork and pork products accounted for a combined $252.71 billion.
Roque is set to fly to Washington, D.C., on Tuesday to meet with Trump administration officials to discuss potentially lowering the tariffs, which are currently suspended until July.
Based on government data, the US accounts for approximately 20 percent of the country’s agricultural imports.
The Philippines ranked ninth among the key export markets of the US, with a total export value of $3.5 billion.
In a separate statement, FAS Administrator Daniel Whitley said their upcoming trade mission will offer US exporters a “vital platform to build connections and gain insights essential for success in Asia.”
“It is an opportunity to showcase the quality and reliability of US agricultural products to a thriving market,” he said.
