MANILA — The new tariffs imposed by the United States may work favorably for Philippine agricultural exports, according to the country's agriculture chief.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. noted that the tariff imposed on the Philippines is significantly lower than that of its neighbors in Southeast Asia, which export similar goods to the US.

"As far as agriculture is concerned, technically, ang competitor natin is basically Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, and other ASEAN countries to the US. At base sa nakita kong tariff rates, tayo pinakamababa eh. Isa sa pinakamababa among our neighbors," he said. 

(Technically, our competitors are basically Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, and other ASEAN countries to the US. Based on the tariff rates, we are among the lowest.)

This may give the PH an advantage, as US importers may turn to the Philippines for similar products from the ASEAN countries.

"Kung isda, definitely kung sinasabi natin tilapia, kung 17 percent lang tariff natin ng tilapia na fillet o kaya whole sa Amerika, tapos ang Vietnam which is a major supplier at 46 percent, and Thailand at 34 percent, mas lamang tayo," Tiu Laurel said.

(Fish, for example. If our tariff is just at 17 percent for fillet or whole, and then we have Vietnam as a major supplier at 46 percent and Thailand at 34 percent, we have an advantage.)

The Philippines exports a range of agricultural goods to the US, including coconut, tuna and other fish.

Instead of looking for other markets to export our agricultural goods to, Tiu Laurel said the country must take advantage by pushing its products in the US market.

"I have given instructions to look at the whole product range na natin, na ang in-export natin, kung ano man yung tatamaan. But in general, I think it's more positive than that," he added.

(I have given instructions to look at the whole product range of the country to see which commodities will be affected. But in general, it might be more positive.)

However, Tiu Laurel noted some concerns with Ecuador.

"Napansin ko yung Ecuador is 10 percent. Ecuador is a competitor din natin yan. And Ecuador also produces a lot of tilapia, a lot of shrimp, and some products similar to ours. So that might be a concern," he said.

US President Donald Trump made a market-shaking move on imposing new duties to products globally, a move seen to cause possible recession in many countries around the world.

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