Trump's tariffs won't derail US-Philippines defense ties, experts say
The Philippines' F-16 deal is critical to replacing the country's ageing military assets, says the writer. PHOTO: AFP
Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez sounded the alarm in April: The country's US$5.58 billion (S$7.2 billion) deal to buy 20 F-16 fighter jets from Washington – a linchpin of Manila's military modernisation – could be imperilled by President Donald Trump's proposed 17 per cent tariff on Philippine exports and its resulting impact on government coffers.
After all, the US is the Philippines' third-largest trading partner and top export market.
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