Duterte seeks economic integration
Rich nations urged to give less developed countries greater market access
DA NANG, Vietnam – The rich will become richer and the poor will become poorer unless Asia-Pacific membereconomies help uplift those left behind by globalization, President Duterte warned on Thursday.
With globalization harming poor economies, the President has called on Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) member-nations to adopt a seamless and comprehensive economic integration to ensure growth will benefit everyone.
Duterte, addressing the APEC CEO Summit in Vietnam, has pushed for inclusive growth by urging rich nations to give greater market access to less developed countries and help small businesses participate in global trade.
“Globalization, to a certain extent, has really damaged poor economies. Globalization, by itself, is the deprivation of some and those that we call left behind. There must be some remedial measures,” he said.
“It behooves upon us really to help the other develop their
own capacity-building. Unless it is done, that you have to educate the others who are left behind, and teach him the digital age, the advantages of it, they will remain where they are,” he said.
Duterte cautioned: “And the richer would become richer and the poorer will become poorer unless things are changed for those who are left behind.”
The President said APEC will only be relevant if prosperity is shared by all.
Greater market access “APEC must continue to advocate for stronger and deeper regional economic integration by facilitating the liberalization of trade and investment,” he said, citing his support for the proposed Free Trade Area of the Asia and the Pacific.
The President also pointed out that less developed economies and small businesses do not need “charity” but “greater market access and the opportunity to participate in growth and development.” “Unless we adopt this mindset, inclusive growth will continue to elude us,” he added.
Duterte also said APEC needs the cooperation of the business community in addressing the pessimism and suspicion of those who do not feel the benefits of free trade and globalization.
“As leaders in our respective fields, we must ensure that globalization does not lead to wealth generation, but equitably, wealth distribution as well,” he said.
He pushed for “remedial measures” such as investing in education, training, and other capacitybuilding opportunities to cope with the challenges of globalization.
To unleash the full potential of globalization, he said it was important to create “an inclusive environment where everyone has the opportunity for growth.” He said this could be achieved through the promotion of competition, complementation, cooperation among business.
Duterte made the comments after a member of the APEC-CEO Summit audience asked him on how APEC should address anti-globalization and anti-free trade sentiment in some developed countries.
Duterte mentioned that the United States was the “first victim of globalization,” citing the plans of US President Donald Trump to lure back US companies back home.
He also noted that the Philippines has also endured brain drain as part of the ill effects of globalization, saying skilled Filipino workers migrate to rich nations.
He said he plans to bring his concern on globalization “forcefully” during the ASEAN Summit in Manila next week.
“We have to have integration, cohesiveness, and we must act as one,” he said.
“If Europe can do it with its union and America is starting to revive its industries, why can’t we, the ASEAN, do it,” he added.
Duterte-Trump meeting After developing “warm rapport” with each other, President Duterte is expected to hold “candid and productive” meeting with President Trump.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr. made the statement after two US lawmakers demanded Trump to raise the drug-related killings in his meeting with Duterte.
The world’s two popular outspoken leaders are expected to meet for the first time on the sidelines of the APEC Summit in Vietnam on Friday. A formal bilateral meeting between the two leaders has also been scheduled during the ASEAN Summit in Manila next week.
“The Palace will not comment on an internal US government matter,” Roque said about the US congressmen’s pronouncement.
“President Duterte and President Trump have warm rapport, and can have candid and productive discussions on matters of shared interest,” he added.
US Representatives Randy Hultgren and James McGovern recently wrote a letter to Trump asking to “impress upon President Duterte the United States’ profound concern” over the alleged extra-judicial killings related to his drug war.
Hultgren, Republican lawmaker from Illinois, and McGovern, a Democrat representative from Massachusetts, are co-chairmen of a US congressional panel on human rights.
In the letter, they recognized that the US must keep its strong partnership with the Philippines, amid the tensions in the Korean peninsula and the South China Sea, but it must remain “a champion of human rights, due process and the rule of law.”
Duterte’s spokesman assured that the government continues to adhere to the rule of law and respects human rights.
He noted that the government is investigating allegations of so-called extra-judicial killings, including homicide cases with drug-related motives. Ongoing investigations include the conduct of public congressional hearings, he added.
“All these are undertaken precisely to ensure that due process and the rule of law prevails despite the Philippines’ significant drug problem,” he said.
Before flying to Vietnam, President Duterte warned that he would not allow the US or any foreign nation to dictate the country’s agenda, from the South China Sea issue to the government’s drug crackdown.
Not a subservient lackey
Duterte insisted that he was not a “subservient lackey” and would tell Trump to “lay off” the topic of human rights if it will be raised during the summit talks.
“Lay off. That’s not your business. I take care of my country. I will nurture my country to health,” said Duterte, who has been under fire for the brutal drug crackdown that has reportedly claimed the lives of more than 3,000 people dead.
Duterte said his talks with Trump will be limited to bilateral cooperation on trade, counter-terrorism, as well as the possibly the territorial spat in the disputed seas.
“The Philippines is not beholden to anyone. The Philippines is a sovereign state. I will not allow anybody to impose anything on my country. I will listen to you. But if it is not to the best of interest for my country, I will ignore you,” Duterte said last Wednesday.
“We meet as sovereigns. I will not go there as a subservient lackey of anyone including what you would like to hear from me but which you cannot ask maybe or later on about human rights,” he added.