ASEAN agri ministers seek US tariff exemptions

The agricultural ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are looking to secure additional exemptions on certain agricultural products facing reciprocal tariffs from the United States (US), according to Philippine Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel.

- BY DEXTER BARRO II

Tiu Laurel, appointed as chair of the 47th ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry (AMAF) held in Manila, said the critical meeting will help affirm the region's agenda on food security.

The AMAF Meeting also aims to address regional issues related to climate change, forestry management, sustainable agriculture, and agricultural trade and investment.

In terms of trade, Tiu Laurel said the reciprocal tariffs imposed by the US will unlikely be the main concern among agricultural chiefs of the 10-member bloc.

He noted that the implementation of the tariffs last Aug. 7 has essentially placed every member country on a level playing field.

To put it into context, the Philippines' 19-percent tariff is on the same level as those of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand, with other neighboring countries within the same range.