DTI maintains talks with U.S. trade execs

The country’s chief negotiator is negotiating with United States government officials to drive down the 19 percent tariff imposed by US President Donald Trump on the Philippines.

According to Trade Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo, Undersecretary Allan Gepty is currently negotiating with his counterpart in the US.

However, when asked to provide a list of products included in the tariff concession, Rodolfo did not provide details as they are a signatory to a non-disclosure agreement (NDA).

“It’s covered by an NDA while we are still negotiating. Usec. Allan is negotiating,” Ceferino told reporters in a Viber message.

Earlier, Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Undersecretary Frederick Go said that agricultural products, such as sugar, corn, rice, pork, and chicken meat, are not included in the zero percent concessions given to the US. Still, negotiations are not yet over.

“Our technical working groups will continue to work with their counterparts from America to finalize the details of this arrangement. There’s still a lot that needs to be discussed, so we’re not done yet,” he said.

The negotiating team should intensify its efforts if it wishes to lower the tariffs, as the 1 August implementation deadline is approaching.

19 percent for now

Meanwhile, Trade and Industry Secretary Cristina Roque stated at the launch of the Bagong Pilipinas National Trade Fair at the SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City that the 19 percent tariff for the Philippines remains for now.

“For now, since President Trump announced it, it’s final. But of course, we are (really) hoping to bring it down, that is what we are hoping for, but I don’t think there is a possibility because Trump already announced it,” she said.

She emphasized that other countries, particularly Japan, received a better deal in concessions because they made significant concessions to the US.

Japan gets 15 percent reciprocal tariffs with the US.

“They got 15 percent because they gave everything. They gave $550 billion investment to the US, which we did not do. We did not give up our agricultural sector, and we still opted to protect our farmers,” Roque explained.

She revealed that the original request from the US was for the Philippines to provide all the products they wanted for imports. Still, they did not comply, which is why the negotiating team failed to secure the reciprocal tariffs they had been eyeing.

Roque stressed that the government is preparing contingency measures for those sectors affected by the 19 percent tariff, and the 0 percent import concession with the US.