US solons protect RP’s interest in tuna issue

Several American senators are trying to ensure that the Philippines will not be adversely affected by the passage of the Andean Trade Preference Act (ATPA) which would allow tuna shipments from several South American countries to enter the US tax-free.

This was disclosed yesterday by Trade and Industry Secretary Manuel Roxas II who said that US senators from both the Democratic and Republican parties have pledged to make sure that provisions of the ATPA would not be detrimental to Philippine tuna exports to the US.

Under ATPA, tuna exports from Andean countries, namely Colombia, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador and Venezuela will be allowed to enter the US duty-free in exchange for helping the US in its fight against illegal drugs.

"US Senators Torrecile, Biden, Sarbanes, Steves, Lugar, Bond and Inoue are all bringing up the issue of Philippine tuna in the ongoing deliberations of the ATPA," Roxas said.

According to Roxas, the US Senate has actually passed its version of the ATPA and so has the US House of Representatives.

"The US solons will bring up in the bicameral meetings two specific issues that would further affect Philippine tuna exports," Roxas said.

One issue is contained in the US House version of the ATPA which provides duty free exemption also to tuna exports from US Samoan territories.

The second issue will be the inclusion of Philippine tuna for tariff exemption.

The Philippines has asked the US for duty free exemption or an increase of Philippine tuna exports to the US in exchange for helping the US in its fight against terrorism.

At present, canned tuna in oil is slapped a 35-percent import tariff while the duty on tuna in brine ranges from six percent to 12.5 percent.

The US is the Philippines’ single biggest market for tuna. In 2001, the country earned $69 million from canned tuna exports.