The Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) says Philippine-made goods, including those exported to the United States, are not produced using forced labor. In a statement issued on Saturday, DFA spokesperson Analyn […] disputes the basis of the US decision that has led to higher tariffs on Philippine products. The DFA response follows Washington’s announcement that it will impose tariffs on 60 economies for failing to adequately implement and enforce a ban on imports of goods made with forced labor. Among the targeted countries is the Philippines, which is facing a tariff rate of 12.5%. The DFA maintains that the Philippines has demonstrated that its locally produced goods do not rely on forced labor, including those shipped to the US market. The DFA position addresses the US rationale linking tariff increases to enforcement gaps related to forced-labor imports, while the US action reflects a broader review that covers multiple economies rather than the Philippines alone.