Garments giant eyes Philippine expansion amid low US tariffs

A Hong Kong-based garments company is looking to expand its manufacturing capacity in the Philippines to take advantage of the country's relatively low tariff rates once the postponed reciprocal tariffs are lifted after 90 days.

- BY DEXTER BARRO II

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Cristina Roque disclosed this to reporters in a recent interview when asked about the advantages of the 17-percent tariff imposed on the country's imports into the United States (US).

"I'm already going to meet with the garments manufacturer in Hong Kong before the end of the month because they're already thinking of strengthening and adding more production in the Philippines because of the 17 percent," said Roque.

While she did not identify the company, the DTI Secretary said it's "one of the biggest, if not the biggest," with production already present in the country.

"So gusto talaga nilang mag-explore na (So they really want to start exploring now)... they're planning to grow it already here in the Philippines," she added.

Early this month, US President Donald Trump announced two sets of tariffs-a baseline 10-percent tariff on all imports into America, and additional reciprocal tariffs on various countries based on trade deficits.