PH ‘business as usual’ amid 90-day ‘lrump tariff pause

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Cristina Roque said the Philippines is “business as usual” as it awaits potential changes once the 90-day temporary suspension on reciprocal tariffs imposed by the United States (US) on all foreign-source goods is lifted.

- By DEXTER BARRO II

US President Donald Trump ordered a 10-percent baseline tariff on all imports into America as a boon to its domestic manufacturing industry during his so-called “Liberation Day” on April 2.

Trump imposed a higher reciprocal tariff on countries with which the US has a trade deficit, with the Philippines slapped with a 17-percent tariff.

He later moved to pause these higher tariffs on most countries until July, only keeping the initial 10-percent tariffs.

With three months left on the negotiating table, several countries are raring to negotiate for a beneficial agreement with the US.