The Philippines should find ways to work with China “strategically and selectively” to navigate the threat of sweeping tariffs imposed by the United States, analysts have said, following a call by a Chinese diplomat urging a unified response in the region.
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Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian made the call after he told local media on April 16 that negotiations for an updated version of the China-Asean Free-Trade Agreement had been concluded successfully amid an ongoing trade war between the US and China.
US President Donald Trump imposed the steepest levies on China at 145 per cent. Beijing retaliated with a 125-per cent tariff on American imports.
The third version of the free-trade pact seeks to further reinforce trade ties between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
“We have [a] big stake in a free and fair international trading system … So, it serves a common interest of China and Asean to safeguard free trade [and] a stable and fair international economic order,” Huang said.
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“In light of the common challenges we are facing, we believe it is important for Asean countries to be united in responding to such challenges. It is also important for China and Asean to work together.”