Trade chief Roque disowns US tariff statement

Trade Secretary Cristina Roque on Tuesday disowned a post by a publication columnist, stating that she did not issue such a statement and calling the post fake.

Roque, who is currently in the United States to join President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., stated that the "Message to Technical Working Group" document, as circulated on social media platform X on 21 July 2025, is untrue.

“This is with reference to a document entitled 'Message to Technical Working Group' [that] was posted on social media channels by a certain Anna Malindog-Uy on 21 July 2025, which allegedly outlines instructions for future negotiations on the Philippines-United States Agreement on Reciprocal Trade Framework,” the statement of Roque disowning the utterance said.

Roque has been very careful in giving information to members of the media regarding negotiations on the U.S. tariff, as they are signatories of a non-disclosure agreement with the U.S. Trade Representative.

“I want to inform the general public that I did not issue such a document; hence, it is fake and my signature appearing therein is a forgery. I therefore condemn the malicious and irresponsible circulation of this document and the information contained therein,” she added.

Malindog-Uy is a columnist for the national daily The Manila Times.

Roque further emphasized that the sensitivity of the subject matter and the timing of its release—coinciding with the scheduled engagement of President Marcos with President Trump in Washington, D.C.—reflects the ill motive of whoever is responsible for the said document.

“I strongly advise the general public to refrain from sharing or circulating the same. Please be advised that only information released through official government channels should be regarded as accurate and verified information. We remain committed to transparency and the utmost protection of the integrity of our national interests,” according to the statement signed by Secretary Roque.

Meanwhile, in a Facebook post on Tuesday, the columnist responded to Roque for publicly naming her, saying she was both amused and intrigued.