[Source/Observer Network Wang Kaiwen] The "reciprocal tariff" of U.S. President Trump covers almost all countries in the world, hitting its so-called allies as well.

Reuters reported on April 10 that Jose Manuel Romualdez, the Philippine ambassador to the United States, said that imposing tariffs on Philippine goods may affect the ability of this U.S. ally to purchase American weapons and its F-16 fighter procurement plan.

In recent years, the defense cooperation between the U.S. and the Philippines has become closer. Last year, the U.S. deployed the "Patriot" medium-range missile system for the first time in the Philippines, while the Philippines also proposed purchasing the system. Reuters cited experts as saying that if a conflict erupts in the Taiwan Strait, the "Patriot" system will "play an important role."

Last week, the U.S. announced a reciprocal tariff rate of 17% on the Philippines, which is lower than other Southeast Asian countries except Singapore. Earlier, Philippine presidential spokesperson Claire Castro called it "good news," stating that it would have "very little impact" on the Philippines and might even attract investment interest from other countries.

However, Romualdez said that Manila is eager to negotiate. "Like most countries, we are arranging for our trade minister and our president's investment and trade assistant to come to Washington to seriously discuss how to complete the entire process based on mutual benefit for both countries."

Romualdez mentioned that earlier this month, Washington approved the sale of 20 F-16 fighter jets and related equipment to the Philippines, with a total value of about $5.58 billion. He said that the U.S. tariffs could affect the Philippine economy and its capacity to bear such costs.

Philippine Ambassador to the United States Romualdez, Philippine-American Association

"These F-16 fighters are very expensive for us. Obviously, if we don't have enough financial resources, we cannot afford them," Romualdez said. He pointed out that the Philippines' trade surplus with the U.S. is approximately $4.8 billion.

"The value of the F-16 (deal) is $5.8 billion. Therefore, if we can really buy the F-16s, it would be a $1 billion surplus for the U.S." Romualdez said.

"This is a matter of reciprocity," Romualdez said, "I believe that President Trump has clearly indicated that tariffs are for balance... If this is policy, we will do it."

Last Sunday, Romualdez revealed in an interview with Philippine DZBB Radio that the Philippines plans to start receiving deliveries of the purchased F-16 fighters from the U.S. in batches starting as early as 2026.

"We can have our own F-16s, but it depends on the conditions, whether we can afford them, and whether Congress and the president approve. But this is part of our Air Force modernization plan," Romualdez said.

Romualdez is the cousin of Philippine President Marcos and has been serving as the Philippine ambassador to the U.S. since August 2017. He told Reuters that given the losses shared by the Philippines and the U.S. during World War II, their relationship is different from that of other countries. Romualdez also revealed that President Marcos plans to visit the U.S. this spring to meet with Trump, depending on their respective schedules, possibly sometime between April, May, or June.

Since the Marcos government took office in 2022, the Philippines has continuously courted outside forces to intervene in the South China Sea and deepened its defense cooperation with the U.S. Just days before the U.S. State Department approved the sale of F-16 fighter jets to the Philippines, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegtseith claimed in Manila that the U.S. would strengthen its military alliance with the Philippines, "rebuilding deterrence" against China's so-called "aggression" in the Indo-Pacific region.

Besides the F-16 fighters, Philippine Army Commander Roy Galido publicly stated last December that he plans to procure and equip the U.S.-made "Patriot" land-based medium-range missile system.

Last April, during the U.S.-Philippine "Shield" joint military exercises, the U.S. deployed the first set of "Patriot" medium-range missile systems to Luzon Island in the Philippines, marking the first time after the Cold War that the U.S. deployed land-based intermediate-range missile systems in the region. In January, there were reports that the U.S. military had already deployed "Patriot" missile launchers to a new location in the Philippines.

Regarding the deployment of intermediate-range missiles by the U.S. in the Philippines, China has repeatedly stated its firm opposition.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning previously stated that the introduction of intermediate missile systems by the Philippines, which are strategic and offensive weapons, would create regional tensions and provoke geopolitical confrontation and an arms race, which is a very dangerous move and an extremely irresponsible choice for the country and the people of Southeast Asia. We urge the Philippines again to heed the calls of regional countries and people, correct its mistaken practices as soon as possible, and remove the "Patriot" intermediate missile systems according to previous commitments and not go further down the wrong path.

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Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7491887231393595954/

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