TRADE Secretary Ma. Cristina A. Roque rejected as “fake” a document circulating on social media purportedly outlining the Philippine position on tariff negotiations with the US.
In an advisory, Ms. Roque said that the social media post claims to instruct the Philippine technical working group (TWG) attached to the tariff talks to take positions that will assure that the US achieves its market-access objectives, described as the so-called 6As — “agriculture, automotive, artificial intelligence-driven technologies, advanced manufacturing and alternative energy sectors, and assured access to Philippine critical minerals.”
Negotiations with the US are covered by confidentiality agreements, with leaks likely to undermine a country’s negotiating position. Philippine industries, including agriculture, have expressed fears that the US will strong-arm Philippine negotiators into lifting restrictions on the entry of US goods.
“I want to inform the general public that I did not issue such a document; hence, it is fake and my signature appearing therein is a forgery. I therefore condemn the malicious and irresponsible circulation of this document and the information contained therein,” Ms. Roque said.
“The sensitivity of the subject matter and the timing of its release to the scheduled engagement of President Marcos with President Trump in Washington, DC reflects the ill motive of whoever is responsible for the document,” she added.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. is scheduled to meet US President Donald J. Trump on Tuesday (Washington time), making him the first Southeast Asian leader to meet Mr. Trump since he retook the White House in January.
The document circulating online carries the title “Message to Technical Working Group.”
“The Philippines needs to ensure US farmers, ranchers, factory workers, and business access to almost $500 billion in commercial benefits in the next four years. We are open to negotiate and make these concessions permanent,” according to the document.
It claimed the Philippines is ready to eliminate tariffs on soya, wheat meslin, wheat starch, wheat gluten, and lead-acid batteries while reducing tariff rates for crude oil and wheat seed.
According to the document, the Philippines plans to increase imports of soya, wheat, chicken leg quarters, dairy products, raw materials for the manufacture of firearms, and hardwoods used in furniture.
It also outlined plans to increase imports of liquefied natural gas and ethanol and facilitate US companies’ applications to explore for energy in the West Philippine Sea. — Justine Irish D. Tabile