Malacañang has defended the Philippines' failure to secure lower tariffs from the United States after the US approved zero percent import tariffs for products from Thailand, Malaysia, and Cambodia. The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry expressed disappointment that the Philippines received none despite being Washington's closest ally. Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro cited efforts to protect local industries like rice, corn, sugar, and poultry.
On Monday, Malacañang defended the Philippines' failure to secure a lower tariff from the United States. This followed the US approval of zero percent import tariffs for specific products originating from Thailand, Malaysia, and Cambodia. Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro reacted to the disappointment expressed by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), which noted that the three countries secured zero percent tariffs on certain exports while the Philippines got none despite being Washington's closest ally.
Castro quoted Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Secretary Frederick Go as saying, “we are trying to protect several industries in the Philippines such as rice, corn, sugar and poultry.” The US decision was formalized at the recent Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Kuala Lumpur.
PCCI vice president for trade Bryan Ang stated, “You see our neighbors getting special tariff exemptions and the Philippines has so far received none. We were expecting a little bit of good news because we have been negotiating for at least a sectoral policy relief when it comes to our semiconductor industry.”
Malacañang's defense highlights the priority of safeguarding local industries from potential impacts of lower tariffs in sensitive sectors.