US-Philippines Relations
Palace defends failure to secure lower US tariff
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.