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Could US tariffs imperil the Philippines’ plan to buy F-16 fighter jets?

The $7.2 billion programme is a massive component of the country’s defence modernisation plans.

The F-16 deal is critical to replacing the Philippines’ ageing military assets.

The Philippines’ F-16 deal is critical to replacing the country’s ageing military assets, says the writer.

PHOTO: AFP

Mara Cepeda

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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.

Could US tariffs imperil the Philippines’ plan to buy F-16 fighter jets?

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