PH, Japan dialogue on agri hits impasse

Negotiations for better market access for Philippine agricultural products to Japan reached an impasse as the two nations resumed talks under the Philippines-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement.

Department of Trade and Investments assistant secretary Allan Gepty said in a virtual briefing the Philippines insisted to discuss a transposition on its request to improve tariff rates on specific agriculture products exported to Japan.

“One of the big issues that need to be addressed is the market access of agri products to Japan. We have been demanding from Japan to allow some movement on tariffs on certain Philippine agricultural exports that is why we have been pressing for market negotiations,” he said.

He said high on the list is Philippine bananas which have two different duties –18 percent during out-season and at 8 percent during in-season.

Japan for its part pushed for lower tariff rates on steel and petrochemical products bound for the Philippines.