ASEAN to discuss unified stand on US tariffs

THE PHILIPPINES is eyeing to lead the regional discussions to come up with a unified stance on the US reciprocal tariffs through its Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) chairship, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said.

- By Justine Irish D. Tabile Senior Reporter

Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina A. Roque said that the US tariffs will be among the topics that the trade ministers will discuss next month.

The ASEAN senior economic ministers will hold a retreat in Manila on March 13.

“We haven’t spoken with the other members of ASEAN because for now we are really focused on the ASEAN chairship,” Ms. Roque told reporters on the sidelines of the ASEAN Editors and Economic Opinion Leaders Forum on Tuesday.

Over the weekend, US President Donald J. Trump announced that he will be imposing a new 15% duty on US imports starting Feb. 24.

However, Reuters reported on Tuesday that the US imposed an additional 10% tariff on all goods not covered by exemptions, citing a notice issued by US Customs and Border Protection said.

The Financial Times quoted a White House official saying the increase up to 15% would come later. Reuters could not immediately confirm this.

Mr. Trump’s new tariff policy comes after the US Supreme Court ruled that he had exceeded his authority when he imposed the reciprocal tariffs.