MANILA – The Philippines was not left out of the United States’ latest zero percent tariff concessions for select Southeast Asian countries, saying the government opted out to protect key domestic sectors from being fully opened to foreign competition.

Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Frederick Go said in a statement released by Malacanang Press Officer and Undersecretary Claire Castro, the Marcos administration chose to prioritize food security and local producers over rapid market liberalization.

“We are trying to protect several industries in the Philippines, such as rice, corn, sugar, and poultry,” Go said.

Castro clarified that only two ASEAN countries received preferential tariff treatment after agreeing to open 100 percent of their markets to US food, agricultural, and industrial products.

The Palace statement followed remarks from the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry expressing disappointment that Manila got no tariff breaks despite being one of Washington’s closest allies in Southeast Asia.

US President Donald Trump has reportedly approved a zero percent tariff scheme for selected goods from Malaysia, Cambodia, and Thailand, a move formalized during the just-concluded ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Trump previously announced steep tariffs affecting nearly all goods imported from nearly all countries, including the Philippines, which was set to receive a 20 percent tariff – 3 percentage points higher than the 17 percent initially planned to be imposed on Manila.

Marcos met with Trump in the US in July and managed to bring down the rate to 19 percent starting in August.