Senate President Miguel Zubiri’s speech to ban Chinese products makes sense. But whether such intent can find its target is another matter given the disparity between China and the Philippines in terms of export-import figures, which are to the disadvantage of the Filipinos.

By adopting a gambit that hopes to restrict or ban the entry of Chinese products to the islands, the question that comes to mind is if such tactic can create a positive impact.

In the first place, the problem about inferior Chinese products flooding the domestic market is a manifest display on how rampant smuggling has become even if the customs bureau keeps on telling the public that certain measures have been put in place to stop the contrabands.

Banning Chinese commodities is best executed if the commercial policies we have today are redirected towards a southeast Asian-oriented agenda. Instead of patronizing Beijing-initiative and backed projects, our strong partners in the ASEAN can easily fill any trade gap that can happen in terms of supply requirement. And if you bring in Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Taiwan, and United States products into the equation, the country would be in a much better situation.

While Chinese products are cheaper than merchandises coming from First World countries, those items we import from Beijing, however, are second- and third-rate articles, many of them oriented toward short-term usage only. Even in sourcing condiments and spices, the Philippine culinary scene is better off if it relies on its ASEAN and friendly allies.

By the way China has been openly bullying us, their actuations leave a bad taste in the mouth. Despite assurance of better relations, Beijing continues to adhere to hooliganism as a tool in asserting its distorted and devious South China Sea plan. Because the Philippines is militarily weak, that thuggish behavior is expected to further aggravate and escalate. The only consolation we have is in confronting the Chinese juggernaut we have the US as frontliner and gutsy mouthpiece. Outside this, all other attempts of challenging Beijing can become illusory.

Moving away from China to the point in the future where we need to degrade our diplomatic ties with Beijing may be a drastic option. Pundits think that with the western countries keeping us on the bright side, the bullying will eventually simmer down. It’s an expectant assumption but the way things are happening at sea, the Beijing dictator, like any other tyrants anywhere, always exercises his superior military muscle and arrogance in asserting an agenda of hegemony.

China’s assertion in the SCS means the need to refine our current diplomatic policy towards Beijing. With that in mind, there is a need to introduce adjustments, especially in matters relating to military, trade, and foreign affairs, and the adoption of new course using every available remedy acceptable to the international community of nations that is supportive of Manila’s agenda.

The impact of banning Chinese products can be unsettling but it can be addressed because nearly all the trade commodities Beijing can supply are also available from the western bloc. Given the trade pacts and commercial treaties we have with non-Chinese countries, the void created by Beijing’s withdrawal is not huge enough to reel off the economic stability of the country.

Recently, the heat to confront China for its lies, aggressiveness, and arrogance, apparently an offshoot of the recent blockade of supply ships bound for Ayungin Shoal and the dangerous use of hose to shoo away the boats, has generated angrier response from various sectors.

Ex-national security adviser Clarita Carlos’ earlier recommendation to downgrade Beijing’s diplomatic status from embassy to a consulate is gaining ground in much the same way that the suggestion to declare Chinese envoy Huang Xilian as persona non grata is now on the edge.

The passiveness of the Philippines towards Beijing’s intimidation has given China the wherewithal to continue its harassment, and there’s no gainsaying the pestering will remain unabated.

(PMT)