• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The 17 percent tariff to be imposed on Philippine exports to the United States is expected to have a significant and drastic effect on the sugar industry.
Negros Occidental 5th district Rep. Emilio Bernardino Yulo disclosed that the Philippines is presently exporting raw sugar to the US with zero tariffs.
With the imposition of 17 a percent tariff, Yulo, formerly a representative of sugar planters to the Sugar Regulatory Administration board, said the cost for traders will increase by 17 percent, stressing “it will no longer be profitable to the exporters.”
He, however, said it will have no direct effect on the local market.
Sharing the sentiments of Yulo, Manuel Lamata, UNIFED president, said that 17 percent is too much for the traders.
If it is no longer profitable, Lamata said they are looking at selling sugar to the world market which they can access.
He confirmed that the Philippines is shipping out 30,000 metric tons of raw sugar to the US next month.
On Thursday, Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro described as “very minimal” the potential impact of President Donald Trump’s tariff scheme on Philippine products.
“We believe in the good relationship of the US-Philippines alliance so the imposition of the 17 percent was probably a result of a study of the US government so we are accepting it and whatever will be its impact, we have to respond to it appropriately,” Castro said.*
