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The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said Philippines is still at an advantage when it comes to reciprocal tariffs and can use this to boost the country’s exports into the United States.

Roque said the Philippines having been given a 17% reciprocal tariff can be advantageous as other countries in Asia have higher increases — Cambodia at 49%, Laos at 48%, Vietnam at 46%, Thailand at 47%, China at 34%, India at 27%, South Korea at 26%, and Malaysia at 24%.

The Trade chief compared the Philippines and Thailand in terms of coconut exports in the US market, Philippines can capitalized and boost its exports having a lower tariff.

Earlier, US President Donald Trump announced a 17% reciprocal tariff on Philippine goods, still “discounted” against the 34% rate that Manila charges against American goods.

Roque noted, however, that Philippine exporters should also diversify and penetrate more markets moving forward.

Finance Secretary Ralph Recto earlier said the government is leveraging the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy (CREATE MORE) Act to lure more investors into the Philippines, amid the reciprocal tariffs.

Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Secretary Frederick Go also brushed off the impact of the reciprocal tariffs, as he sees it as a boon rather than a bane for the country’s economic future.