Philippine central bank cuts rates in wake of Trump tariff flip-flops

First easing in ASEAN after 'Liberation Day' comes amid slowing inflation

20250409 the Philippine central bank1

Inflation in the Philippines fell to 1.8% annually in March, its slowest pace since the 1.6% rate recorded in May 2020. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)

RAMON ROYANDOYAN

MANILA -- The Philippine central bank continued its monetary easing cycle, cutting its policy rate by 25 basis points to 5.5% on Thursday in the wake of the developing U.S. trade war.

The move on Thursday marked the first for a central bank in Southeast Asia after U.S. President Donald Trump announced "Liberation Day" last week, jacking up tariffs on goods imported into the U.S., raising fears of a global recession and rattling global stock markets. Central banks in India and New Zealand lowered their interest rates Wednesday.

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