RP eyes ‘close to zero’ tariff for tuna exports to EU

Trade Undersecretary Thomas Aquino said yesterday that the Philippines will be satisfied with a tariff level of "close to zero" for its tuna exports to the European Union.

"A tariff of 12 percent will be too far, while two percent will be close to zero," Aquino said.

Philippine canned tuna exports to EU countries currently face a stiff 24 percent tariff as against tuna from Africa, the Carribbean and Pacific countries which enjoy duty-free entry into the EU market.

The country’s canned tuna exports to the EU markets account for 23 percent its total shipments of canned tuna.

"The United Kingdom and Germany are the most supportive of the Philippines’ request for a lowering of EU tariff on Philippine tuna," Aquino said.

"On the other side of the spectrum, the countries opposed to lower tariff on Philippine tuna are France, Portugal and Spain," he added.

Notwithstanding the government’s continued talks with EU members, the Philippines had already filed a formal protest with the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Aquino said that both the Philippines and EU have already submitted their respective positions to the WTO mediator.

Meanwhile, a European Parliament member, Glyn Ford of the British Labor Party has raised the Philippine tuna issue with the EU Commission following the request of Sen. Franklin Drilon.

Ford had discussed with the EU Commission the Philippines’ agreement to a waiver of EU preferential treatment of ACP countries "provided EU enters into consultation with the Philippines to assess the extent to which their legitimate interests are damaged."