Manila: Philippine goods, including its exports to the United States, are not produced with the help of forced labor, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Saturday.

According to Philippines News Agency, the statement came after the US announced that it will impose tariffs on 60 economies, including 12.5 percent for the Philippines, for failing to impose and effectively enforce a prohibition on the importation of goods produced with forced labor.

"The Philippines has long demonstrated that its locally produced goods, including those exported to the US, do not rely on forced labor," DFA spokesperson Analyn Ratonel stated in a text message to reporters. The spokesperson emphasized that the Philippines has existing laws prohibiting forced labor and continues to strengthen its legal and institutional framework by developing appropriate mechanisms to effectively investigate and address goods allegedly produced wholly or in part through forced labor.

The official also noted that the Philippine government will continue to engage with US counterparts on this matter. Earlier, Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez mentioned that Manila will aim to lower the imposed tariffs to at least 10 percent. He added that the Philippines will negotiate with the US "on the basis that we will remove the child labor goods from our list of exports if it is proven to be so."