PH in constant communication with US on tariff rates, policies

The Philippines is in constant communication with concerned officials in the United States as regards the tariff rates and policies, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro said on Thursday.

During a press briefing, Castro was asked if Manila has already responded to the call of Washington for their trading partners to provide their ''best offers'' as regards trade negotiations. 

''According to the Department of Trade and Industry and the Office of the Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs, they are in constant communication with the US Trade Representative,'' Castro said.

''But they cannot divulge or give any details about this because we are covered by the confidentiality agreement,'' she added. 

A Reuters report stated that the Trump administration wants countries to provide their best offer on trade negotiations by Wednesday as officials seek to accelerate talks with multiple partners ahead of a self-imposed deadline in just five weeks.

The draft provides a window into how President Donald Trump plans to bring to a close unwieldy negotiations with dozens of countries regarding trade and tariff policies. 

At the 46th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits last week, President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. expressed support over the ASEAN's non-retaliatory measures as regards the recent shifts in the United States' tariff policy.

Marcos said that the ''unexpected trade barriers'' could disrupt communities, supply chains, and the bloc's hard-earned progress.

Philippine officials already met with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and tackled “mutually beneficial ways to strengthen the bilateral relations” amid the 17% tariff rate imposed by Washington on Manila. —VAL, GMA Integrated News