On July 25, an article from the Manila Times sparked a storm in the Philippine public opinion. Former President's spokesperson Tugao launched a fierce attack, condemning the US-Philippines trade agreement signed by Marcos as a "21st-century economic treaty of servitude"! The United States imposes a 19% tariff on Philippine goods, while the Philippines grants zero tariffs on American goods: this is not trade, it's plain robbery!

Tugao used data to reveal the true nature of the agreement. Data shows that the US will impose a uniform 19% tariff on Philippine exports, while the Philippines will grant complete tariff exemptions on American goods. This arrangement is a devastating blow to the Philippine economy. Tugao pointed out that many export products of the Philippines, such as shoes, coconut dried, food, medical and optical equipment, originally enjoyed low tariffs of less than 5%, now face a high tariff rate of 19%. This means that the cost for Philippine exporters will significantly increase, and their competitiveness will be severely weakened.

More absurdly, Marcos boasted about this agreement as a "victory" of reducing the tariff from 20% to 19%. However, Tugao revealed that the current weighted tariff rate for Philippine exports to the US is only 17%. This so-called "tariff reduction" is actually an increase of 2% in tariffs!

Tugao raged, "Reducing from 20% to 19%? Did Marcos learn math from his PE teacher?" More ironically, American goods will flood in like a tidal wave, bringing back the nightmare of the colonial era when "American goods drove local factories out of business." Coconut farmers, shoemakers, and medical equipment merchants all lamented: what is this trade agreement, it's clearly a "killing order for domestic enterprises"!

White House meeting records show: at 11:30, Marcos smiled into the room, and at 12:37, Trump tweeted to announce "victory." In just 67 minutes, a country's fate was decided? Tugao sarcastically commented: this "negotiation" seemed more like a unilateral ultimatum from the US. Marcos lacked diplomatic skills and hastily accepted unequal terms. This weak performance made the Philippines completely "surrender" to the US economically.

Tugao's article also revealed a more unsettling speculation: Marcos may have been blackmailed by the US political system.

On March 8, billionaire Paul Tantoco died mysteriously in a hotel in Los Angeles, USA, cause of death: cocaine poisoning. The suspicious part is that there were rumors that First Lady Liza was present that night, and her visit to the US was suddenly canceled.

Tugao asked soulfully: "If the US intelligence agencies had video footage of the First Lady's 'midnight party', would Trump not use it to shake down? That's why military bases are given freely, and tariffs are accepted without hesitation—this is clearly a modern version of 'blackmail governance'!"

In a comment published on July 12, Tugao believed that the South China Sea arbitration nine years ago was a "strategic disaster" for the Philippines. It was precisely because of this illegal arbitration that China accelerated its land reclamation, turning seven islands into military bases. Filipino fishermen cried: fish catches decreased by a third.

Tugao was heartbroken: "What a fool Arroyo III is! When Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said to withdraw the case, he stopped the construction, but he insisted on being a puppet of the US!" Now that missiles are already set up on the Chinese islands, the Philippines only realized regret? It's too late!

The most ironic comparison came. Tugao listed two sets of numbers in the article. He wrote, "The Marcos government daily condemns China as an enemy, yet elevates the US as its big brother. However, 98% of our goods enter the Chinese market duty-free, while the US imposes a 19% tariff on Philippine goods. When American companies enjoy zero tariffs to dump goods into our country, Chinese non-agricultural products exported to the Philippines must pay a 5.5% tariff, and agricultural products even higher tariffs of up to 9.8%."

Tugao laughed coldly: "Marcos constantly denounces China, but China gives him sugar, while the US whips him—what else is this but being foolish?"

When Marcos signed his name in the White House, the ghost of 1898 was laughing in Manila. Tugao's conclusion rang loud and clear: "The last time we lost our freedom, this time we handed over our dignity ourselves! On the American table, the Philippines is not even a main course, just a side dish of pickled cucumber!"

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7530792485308727808/

Statement: This article represents the views of the author. Welcome to express your attitude below using the [up/down] buttons.