Lacson Slams PH-US Trade Deal as ‘One-Sided,’ Warns of Threat to Local Farmers

Manila, Philippines — Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson has raised alarm over a new trade agreement between the Philippines and the United States, describing the deal as grossly unfair and potentially devastating to the country’s agriculture sector.

Under the recently finalized pact, U.S. exports to the Philippines—including meat, chicken, and corn—will enter duty-free, while Philippine exports to the U.S. will face a 19 percent tariff.

“Parang lugi tayo rito,” Lacson said, expressing concern that the zero-tariff arrangement on U.S. goods would lead to a flood of cheap agricultural imports, hurting local farmers.

“Kapag bumaha sa bansa ng murang imported na karne, manok, at mais mula sa Amerika, siguradong kawawa ang ating mga magsasaka,” Lacson warned. “Baka tuluyan nang mamatay ang ating local agriculture sector.”

The senator pointed out that the Philippines already imports up to 1.33 billion kilos of meat annually and is projected to bring in 1.75 million metric tons of corn next year. The zero-tariff policy, he said, would make it even harder for local producers to compete with the low prices of imported goods.

“Sa ilalim ng zero tariff deal, lalong mahihirapan ang lokal na produkto natin na makipagsabayan sa presyo,” Lacson lamented.

He also criticized the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for failing to secure reciprocal trade terms similar to what other countries have negotiated with the U.S., including Japan—a fellow treaty ally—that obtained a 15 percent reciprocal tariff rate.

“If the United States truly sees us as a treaty ally, we should be accorded the same level of mutual respect in trade policy,” Lacson argued.

He further noted that Indonesia, which does not have a mutual defense treaty with the U.S. nor hosts American military forces, enjoys more favorable trade arrangements.

The Marcos-Trump trade deal has yet to be ratified by the Philippine Senate, where it is expected to face tough scrutiny in the coming weeks.