TRM to publish RP’s tariff schedule for 2006-2010

The technical committee of the Tariff and Related Matters (TRM) Committee will leave up to the Cabinet-level TRM a crucial decision to publish the country’s tariff schedule for 2006-2010 because of potential implications to the still forthcoming World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations in Hong Kong in December.

Senior Trade Undersecretary Thomas Aquino explained that such a decision has to be made by the Cabinet level TRM and not just the Tariff Commission because of possible implications to the Philippines’ own negotiating position in the WTO.

During the last round of talks in Cancun, Mexico, then Trade and Industry Secretarry Manuel A. Roxas III had insisted on keeping the Philippines’ bound rates high in order to give the country some flexibility should the WTO talks – especially on non-agricultural market access (NAMA) – include a mandated round of cuts.

Aquino maintains the same position and the need to protect those figures before the WTO negotiation in December.

Earlier, Tariff Commission Edgardo Abon had announced the completion of the review of the country’ tariff program, 30 percent of the rates would be reduced while 50 percent would be maintained.

He did not disclose the average rate of reduction.

While normally the tariff scheduled is published on an annual basis, it was suggested that publishing the rates for 2006 to 2010 would also be a big help for planning purposes of industries and business because it would establish predictability.

An annual or bi-annual publication, for negotiating purposes, however, would be more favorable in negotiations so that the Philippines’ position is not exposed.