MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles in the United States organized a meeting dubbed “Kapihan at the Consulate” to discuss the economic policies of the new U.S. administration and its possible impacts on the Filipino business community.
In a news release, the Consulate mentioned that among topics discussed during the small group meeting are the "new or renewed tariff regimes" that may possibly affect businesses in the United States.
In attendance were Filipino American business owners and representatives of Filipino American Business Chambers, the Consulate said.
“This roundtable is the first in a series of small group meetings to hear and learn first-hand from the Fil-Am business community their thoughts on the current business landscape and its outlook for the future,” the Consulate added.
According to a news report by NBC News published on 16 February 2025, small businesses faced with higher costs, steep interest rates and more cautious consumers can already feel the changes, from funding freezes and tariffs to a crackdown on diversity efforts.
Although courts have halted some of them, many small businesses are reported to curtail plans to invest in their businesses, wary of tapping cash reserves should economic conditions deteriorate, NBC News mentioned in their report.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Consulate in L.A. will be hosting succeeding meetings with the Fil-Am business community regarding the topic, as well as informing the attendees of the upcoming projects and events of the Consulate, including the Very Important Pinoy Tour slated on July 6 to 15, 2025; and the upcoming Midterm Elections in the Philippines for the benefit of registered overseas voters.
