Philippines' 10% Frozen Fries Tariff Hits U.S. Exports
U.S. frozen fries processors and exporters face a tariff that Chinese competitors do not face at the same level.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in International Trade
Live Poll
Should the U.S. prioritize removing foreign tariffs on American farm exports in trade talks?
U.S. potato industry groups asked the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative to pursue removal of the Philippines' 10 percent tariff on frozen fries through ongoing bilateral trade negotiations. The Philippines became the sixth-largest export market for U.S. potatoes in 2025, and frozen fries exporters face a tariff their Chinese competitors do not face at the same level.
Why it matters
U.S. frozen fries shipments to the Philippines have declined since temporary tariff-free access expired in 2019, while Chinese supply has expanded sharply. For processors and exporters, the tariff is a direct cost disadvantage in a market that has become a major destination for U.S. potatoes.
U.S. potato shipments to the Philippines declined 13 percent, from US$120 million to US$104 million, and the Philippines is now the sixth-largest export market for U.S. potatoes. Eliminating the tariff could add US$28 million in annual U.S. frozen fries exports, restoring them to about US$90 million.
The players
Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
The federal office that leads U.S. trade negotiations and bilateral trade agreements, and that determines how tariff relief is pursued with trading partners.
National Potato Council
A U.S. trade association representing potato growers whose members sell fresh and processed potatoes in domestic and export markets.
American Potato Trade Alliance
A U.S. industry group focused on expanding export markets for American potato products, including frozen fries.
The details
The National Potato Council and American Potato Trade Alliance asked USTR to pursue tariff elimination as part of ongoing bilateral negotiations rather than through a separate action. The groups point to a pattern in which temporary tariff-free access for U.S. frozen fries expired in 2019, after which shipments fell while Chinese exporters took share. The request also flags possible added competition from European suppliers once a Philippines-EU free trade agreement takes effect.
Timeline
2019: Temporary tariff-free access for U.S. frozen fries expired in the Philippines.
2024: U.S. frozen fries exports to the Philippines reached US$89.8 million.
2025: Philippines became the sixth-largest U.S. potato export market while frozen fries exports fell.
November 6, 2026: Potato industry groups requested tariff elimination from USTR.
Market Landscape
The request follows the 2019 expiration of temporary tariff-free access, after which U.S. frozen fries shipments fell while Chinese exports grew from US$1.6 million to US$83.7 million. The organizations also flag a forthcoming Philippines-EU free trade agreement as a possible additional source of competition.
Frozen fries processors and exporters should factor the 10 percent Philippines tariff into pricing for that market, since it applies while Chinese competitors ship at lower cost. Companies that depend on Philippine demand should track the outcome of the USTR request and the Philippines-EU trade agreement, and consult qualified trade counsel on how any tariff change would affect their contracts.
The takeaway
Operators in frozen potato exports should treat the Philippines tariff as a live variable in their export planning rather than a fixed cost. Watch for the outcome of the bilateral negotiations and for any EU competition that could follow the Philippines-EU agreement, and review export contract terms with a qualified trade advisor.
Further reading
For more on how tariffs and trade negotiations shape export markets, see International Trade.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Freshplaza.
Live Poll
Should the U.S. prioritize removing foreign tariffs on American farm exports in trade talks?
