By Justine Irish D. Tabile, Reporter
THE Philippine government said that it’s confident that it’ll have the ability to secure a “mutually advantageous” arrangement with the US ahead of trade talks with US counterparts next month.
“We’re confident that, through our strong economic and diplomatic ties, we are able to find arrangements which are mutually advantageous,” said Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs of the Philippines Frederick D. Go in a press release on Wednesday.
Mr. Go issued the statement following the consultations his office conducted with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and key export leaders.
Mr. Go will lead a delegation to Washington to debate the tariffs on Philippine goods with the US Trade Representative.
Presidential Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire A. Castro on Monday said that the meeting will happen in the primary week of May.
Earlier this month, US President Donald J. Trump introduced 10% blanket tariffs on all its trading partners but paused a plan to impose higher reciprocal tariffs on some countries for 90 days.
Philippine exports to the US face a 17% tariff, the second lowest amongst Association of Southeast Asian Nations member countries after Singapore’s baseline rate of 10%.
In keeping with the DTI, the consultations with export leaders were meant to “gather insights and formulate strategic measures to strengthen bilateral trade with the US amidst the recently imposed US reciprocal tariffs.”
The DTI said the exporters gave their insights on the present market dynamics within the US.
“They elucidated the strategic opportunities and challenges that the present situation presents… The discussions focused on how the federal government and the private sector can work together in highlighting the Philippines as a reliable and trusted trading partner amidst uncertainties in international trade,” it added.
The DTI expressed confidence that the Philippine government can work with the US in identifying opportunities that can profit their respective economies.
“The consultative process has enhanced mutual understanding and alignment on shared goals,” Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina A. Roque said.
In keeping with the Trade chief, the consultations “aim to be certain that views and interests of varied sectors are considered as the federal government works to secure the perfect possible outcomes for the Philippines in our trade relations with the US.”
In a previous statement, Ms. Roque said that the Philippines goals to interact the US to facilitate enhanced market access for Washington’s key export interests, comparable to automobiles, dairy products, frozen meat, and soybeans.
PROBLEMS AT THE PORTS
Meanwhile, United Portusers Confederation of the Philippines, Inc. President Nelson M. Mendoza said that the US tariffs are a pressing concern for the shipping industry.
“Right away, even the exporters are usually not in a greater position because a variety of their orders, although they weren’t canceled, were on hold,” Mr. Mendoza told reporters on Wednesday.
“Those orders are being held due to the tariff. Now, due to the 90-day pause, those will probably be initially moved. But after 90 days, we have no idea what’s going to occur,” he added.
Mr. Mendoza said the export orders for 2025 were placed in 2024 when rates and costs were lower.
At the identical time, he said that the imports may also be affected, as goods coming from the US will likely be costlier.
“Because the shipping lines said, the route of their vessels will likely be irregular for probably a moment. For me, I can say for 4 years at the least, as Trump will likely be there for 4 years,” he said.
“We are only hoping that the negotiations between the US and other countries will pave the solution to at the least neutralize it (the situation) a bit,” he added.
Nonetheless, Mr. Mendoza said that the brand new tariff measure could also present opportunities, comparable to Chinese corporations increasing their production within the Philippines.
“They may export from the Philippines with a lesser tariff in comparison with China. They might not necessarily relocate here, but they may increase their production,” he said.
“However the necessary thing is that we improve our ease of doing business so a variety of them will transfer to us. Because immediately we are usually not competitive by way of putting up business in comparison with other Asian countries,” he added.
