Manila: The Philippines will sustain its active engagement with the United States (US) to ensure that the two countries' longstanding trade and investment partnership remains stable and mutually beneficial, Malaca±ang said on Wednesday. The statement came after US President Donald Trump earlier raised the global import tariff to 15 percent from the 10-percent rate initially introduced following a Supreme Court ruling that struck down his previous trade policy.

According to Philippines News Agency, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro stated that the country's economic managers are already looking into the latest development. "In the meantime, we will evaluate and monitor recent developments. Our goal is to ensure that our trade and investment relations with the US remain stable and predictable," Castro said, citing the economic team's statement.

Castro further mentioned that the Philippine government would continue to engage with the US, considering that it remains a 'major trading partner.' A new 10-percent global import tariff went into effect in the US on Tuesday, despite Trump's recent threat to impose a 15-percent rate. Reports indicate that the White House said the planned 15-percent increase was still being worked on.