MANILA – The 17-percent tariff that the United States will impose on Philippine exports starting April 9 is expected to have “minimal impact,” Malacañang said.
According to Presidential Communications Office’s Undersecretary Claire Castro, the tariff that will be imposed on the Philippines is lower compared to tariff rates set for other countries.
“Desisyon po kasi ng gobyerno ng US iyan. Kung mayroon po silang dapat na pangalagaan patungkol sa kanilang ekonomiya, hindi po ito mapipigilan. Iyan po ang kanilang magiging polisiya,” Castro said.
She added: “At sabi nga po natin, ang pagpataw ng 17 percent na second lowest, sa ating palagay ay hindi na po ganoon kasama. Mabuti pa rin po ito sa ating palagay.”
The US imposed higher tariffs on other Southeast Asian countries, including Cambodia (49 percent), Vietnam (46 percent), Myanmar (45 percent), Thailand (36 percent), Indonesia (32 percent), and Malaysia (24 percent).
Castro said America’s reciprocal tariff policy may benefit the Philippines, as some countries slapped with higher tariffs may consider investing in the Philippines instead.
“Kapag po nanatili ang ganitong klaseng polisiya, maaari pa rin po tayong makakuha ng mga investors mula doon sa mga bansa na may pinapatawan ng malalaking tariff,” Castro said.
“So, maaari silang pumunta sa Pilipinas, dito sila magsagawa, mag-manufacture, dahil 17 percent lamang ang pinapataw sa atin. So, puwedeng negative-positive ito,” she added./PN
