PH barters with Japan to lower banana tariffs

The Philippine government is willing to grant concessions to Japan in the hope of introducing reforms to the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA), particularly to address high tariffs on its banana exports—a market stronghold under threat from countries with lower tariffs.

- By DEXTER BARRO II

Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel said the government has long urged Japan to review the JPEPA, but to no avail.

However, he said Japan has recently shown openness to hold discussions on possible revisions to the agreement in exchange for certain concessions.

“They mentioned that it can be possible if we have something to offer,” Tiu Laurel told reporters last week.

“So I'll have to talk to DTI (Department of Trade and Industry) and our partner agencies in the Philippines to come up with a package that we can offer to them so that they can reopen the JPEPA bilaterals,” he added.

While he did not offer other details on potential concessions, Tiu Laurel said one of the main reasons the government is seeking reforms to JPEPA is to reduce the tariffs on the country’s banana exports.