Manila, April 3 -- The 17-percent tariff that the United States will slap on Philippine exports beginning April 9 will only have a minimal impact, Malacanang said Thursday.

In a press briefing, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the tariff that will be imposed on the Philippines is lower compared to tariff rates set for other countries.

Castro, citing the Department of Trade and Industry's statement, said the impact of the US' latest move on the Philippines would just be "very minimal."

"Desisyon po kasi ng gobyerno ng US iyan. Kung mayroon po silang dapat na pangalagaan patungkol sa kanilang mga economic growth nila or sa kanilang mga ekonomiya, hindi po ito mapipigilan. Iyan ...