Malacañang reassured the public about the 17% tariff imposed by the United States on the Philippines, emphasizing that it will have minimal effects and could result in both positive and negative outcomes.
In a press briefing on Thursday, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro noted that several countries have been subjected to significantly higher tariffs, with the Philippines ranking second-lowest, following Singapore.
"Ayon din po sa DTI, iyong impact po nito ay medyo hindi ganoon kalaki, very minimal po," Castro stated.
"At tayo rin po ay naniniwala sa isang relasyong maganda ng US-Philippine alliance kaya po ang pagpapataw po ng 17 percent ay maaaring napag-aralan din po ng gobyerno po ng administrasyon ng US kaya ito po ay tatanggapin natin," she added.
However, she stated that whatever the impact may be, the government will be responding accordingly.
In addition, Castro highlighted that, based on available reports, the Philippines does not export a large volume of goods to the US.
She added that the government, with input from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Departmenr of Finance (DOF), will analyze the potential consequences of the tariff on the country's products.
Castro noted that, at present, there are no indications that the government plans to appeal or seek a reduction or removal of the 17% tariff.
"Desisyon po kasi ng gobyerno ng US iyan. Kung mayroon po silang dapat na pangalagaan patungkol sa kanilang mga economic growth nila or sa kanilang mga ekonomiya, hindi po ito mapipigilan, iyan po ang kanilang magiging polisiya," said Castro.
She reiterated that the imposed tariff could yield both positive and negative results for the country. The Palace official added that if the policy remains in place, the Philippines could attract investors from countries that have been subjected to significantly higher tariffs.
"Puwede po kasing maging positibo ito, puwedeng maging negatibo ito lalo na kapag po tayo nag-i-export. Pero 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 explained.
"So, maaari silang pumunta sa Pilipinas, dito sila magsagawa, mag-manufacture, dahil 17% lamang ang pinapataw sa atin. So, puwedeng negative, positive ito," she added.
On April 3, U.S. President Donald Trump declared reciprocal tariffs on various countries, with the trade deficit being cited as the reason for the measure.
