Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade Manoa Kamikamica says they have asked the Unites States Embassy the basis of the 32 percent tariff imposed on Fijian products exported to the US as they believe it is both disproportionate and unreasonable.
US President Donald Trump announced a 32 percent tariff on Fijian exports into the US as “reciprocal tariff” rates.
According to the charts shared by Trump and the White House, Fiji charges the US 63 percent tariffs – including currency manipulation and trade barriers.
This 63 percent tariff claim is incorrect as Fiji does not have that level of tariff for any goods or country.
While responding to questions by fijivillage News, Kamikamica says the meeting with the Embassy today was cordial and they outlined Fiji's concerns on the tariff imposition.
He says the Ministry will continue open dialogue with the US Mission and Trade officials with a view to seek reductions to the 32 percent tariffs.
According to Reuters, to calculate to tariff, take the US goods trade deficit with a country, divide it by that country's exports to the US and turn it into a percentage figure; then cut that figure in half to produce the US "reciprocal" tariff, with a floor of 10 percent.
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