The lopsided Trump-Marcos agreement

"Sana tinext nalang sayo na babawasan ng 1%, sayang gastos." That was popular social media personality, lawyer Rowena Guanzon's reaction to the one-percent decrease in the tariffs that U.S. imposes on the Philippine goods.

- Atty. Ruphil Bañoc

"Sana tinext na lang" implies that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s trip to the U.S. was a waste of resources, especially since he brought along an entourage that seemingly did nothing of substance.

Perhaps the strongest criticism of the 19% tariff on Philippine goods under the current Philippine-U.S. trade agreement came from Senator Ping Lacson.

The senator said, “19% vs 0% tariffs is definitely not the most fair deal between decades-old friends or allies like the United States and the Philippines. If I may add, it is the worst insult that a host can throw at his guest. It is time for us to look for other trade partners.”