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Philippines

The Philippines signed its first bilateral FTA with Japan in 2006 and is presently party to the ASEAN FTA processes (China, India, Korea, Japan and Australia/New Zealand). The Philippine government has been trying to get Washington to offer an FTA, while those of New Zealand and Chile are apparently in favour of a bilateral deal with Manila. The Philippine government wants to join the TPP, and is engaged in efforts to lay the groundwork for negotiations with the EU for a possible FTA.

last update: May 2012
Photo: Michel Cermak/Twitter


Proposed RP-US FTA may center on telecom and financial sectors
In a recent round table discussion sponsored by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies, the service industries - specifically the telecommunication and the finance sectors - were tackled as two of the crucial areas where the Philippines can have the best potential if the FTA agreement with the US pushes through.
Philippines seeks sector-specific FTA with US
The Philippine government is pushing for a sector specific free trade agreement (FTA) with the US starting off with the garments sector to immediately take advantage of a duty-free privilege for garment exports and strengthen its presence in the US, the country’s biggest garment market.
RP-US FTA: A skewed deal in the making
The Philippines cannot hope for a “mutually-beneficial” relationship with the US through a free trade agreement founded on the US neocolonial agenda.
Free-trade deal not in US trip agenda
Trade and Industry Secretary Peter B. Favila said the proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the Philippines and the US is not in the agenda of President Gloria Arroyo’s state visit to the US.
Philippines, US trade talks generate positive results
The Philippines-US Trade and Investment Council (TIC) recently held a bilateral consultation. The Philippine panel was informed during the TIC that the US Trade Representative will soon publish the results of a study on the prospects of an ASEAN-US FTA.
Philippines readies for free trade agreement talks with US
The Philippines Department of Trade and Industry said it will begin a study in preparation for negotiating a free trade agreement with the United States. The study is expected to be completed in September and the results would be validated through regional public consultations starting in October.
RP prepares for possible trade accord with US
Baby steps have begun in engaging the United States on a possible trade pact, the Philippines’ trade department said in a report to President Arroyo.
Free trade deal with US hinges on RP agricultural sector proposal
The likelihood of forging the US-Philippines free trade agreement (FTA) largely hinges on the Philippine agricultural sector in folding into the proposal.
Early FTA talks with US good for RP
An American expert on international trade and business practice has underscored the benefits for the Philippines to begin negotiating for a free trade agreement (FTA) with the United States.
Philippine Gov’t urged to reopen FTA talks with US
The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) has urged the government to initiate a new bilateral trade talks with the United States.