PH sees US FTA nego next year

The Philippines is optimistic that discussions on the proposed bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) with the US could start next year after the US Congress has settled trade issues with Canada and Mexico.

Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon M. Lopez told reporters at the groundbreaking ceremony of the Lufthansa Technik Philippines’ $40-million expansion project that the Philippines is just awaiting timing from the US side to commence discussions.

“We’re just waiting for timing from the US side,” said Lopez noting that US authorities have to take up the planned FTA with the US Congress, which is still prioritizing discussions with Canada and Mexico with whom they have an existing FTA under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). President Trump has called for a review of the trade deal, which he considers lopsided in favor of its two other trading partners.

“Hopefully there is discussion already at their Congress because after that (NAFTA) they can give the go signal,” he said.

Essentially, Lopez said the timelines for the proposed bilateral FTA depends on the US side as the Philippines has always been all set to move the discussions to a higher level.

Lopez has reiterated its preference to start the FTA negotiations by next year. The Philippines has also conveyed the same to the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines. “We would like the FTA negotiation soon as possible,” he added.

Basically, he said, the Philippines would like all the Philippine products listed under the US-Generalized System of Preferences (US-GSP) be included in the comprehensive bilateral FTA. On top of that, the Philippines would push for the inclusion of other sectors such as leathergoods and garments.

During a bilateral meeting at the ASEAN Leaders’ Summit and Related Meetings in Manila in November 2017, President Trump expressed willingness to the Philippines to move its bilateral trade cooperation towards a more sustained trade agreement via an FTA.

The two countries agreed that an FTA would be a win for both countries, as both acknowledged there are already opportunities under the current Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) that both teams can work on to facilitate immediately more trade.

Earlier, DTI Undersecretary Ceferino S. Rodolfo said that one factor to consider in the FTA exploratory discussion is the policy gap between the two countries, meaning how far it is to align their policies.