Monday, April 02, 2007 Tuna industry players fear Thai-US trade talks
TUNA industry players in General Santos City fretted over Thailand's ongoing bilateral trade talks with the United States, urging the government to follow the tack to prevent the industry from collapsing.
Marfenio Tan, president of the Socsksargen Federation of Fishing Associations and Allied Industries, Inc., said Thailand was seeking a duty-free entry of tuna products in the United States.
"We hope the government, through the Department of Trade and Industry, will also lobby with the American government to accord us the same tax privilege," Tan said.
Currently, in quota shipments for Philippine tuna products in the United States are slapped with a 6 percent tariff while out-quota shipments are imposed with 12.5 percent tax.
Tan said if the Philippine Government could convince the United States of zero tariff, local producers could save $2 per $25-worth canned tuna, or around P100, which can be used for expansion projects by fishing companies.
He revealed that Thailand's proposal for a tax-free entry of tuna products in the United States has been in the works for two years now.
"They'll probably enjoy the privilege in 2008," said Tan, who expressed fears such perks would have adverse impact to the local tuna industry.
Domingo Teng, immediate past president of the federation, said that a zero-tariff on Thai tuna in the United States would eventually kill the local tuna industry.
"Our government should lobby for the same privilege," Teng, owner of TSP Marine Industry, said.
Tan said they have brought their concern to US Ambassador Kristie Kenney in her recent visit in this city but she did not give specific assurances to the tuna players.
"I told her that if the US can give such perks to Thailand, why can't they also give it to the Philippines? We are their former colony and we are presently their strong ally in the fight against terrorism," Tan revealed.
