PH to pursue free trade deal with US – Roque
MSN | 8 February 2025
Story by Janine Alexis Miguel
PH to pursue free trade deal with US – Roque
The Philippines will push for deeper economic collaboration with the United States, Trade Secretary Cristina Roque said, focusing on market access through the renewal of the US Generalized System of Preference (GSP) and a bilateral agreement.
"Under the new Trump administration, we are optimistic about renewed interest in a possible Philippines-United States FTA (free trade agreement)," Roque told a forum earlier this week.
"This is an opportunity to craft a new generation trade agreement that not only expands market access but also upholds the highest standards of labor rights, environmental protection and social inclusivity," she added.
The Trade Department has said that the Marcos government would push for a bilateral trade deal, noting that Trump had welcomed the Philippines’ interest in 2017 during his first term.
In addition to the renewal of the GSP program, which expired at the end of 2020, Roque also said that the government wanted to conclude a critical minerals agreement with the US.
"These measures will amplify our role in global value chains and drive economic growth for both our nations," she added.
Roque also highlighted the proposed United States-Philippines Partnership Act, which was introduced in Congress by now Secretary of State Marco Rubio, as "this landmark legislation [that] lays foundation for deeper economic cooperation, particularly in critical minerals and infrastructure development, aligning with our goals of sustainable and inclusive growth."
The trade chief’s statements came amid concerns that the US was becoming protectionist as Trump last week launched a trade war against China, Mexico and Canada — the US’ biggest trading partners.
He also ordered the shutdown of a number of US programs, particularly those under the United States Agency for International Development (USAid).
On Thursday, the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) said the USAid shutdown would have no impact on initiatives aimed at making doing business in the Philippines easier.
Two projects backed by the aid agency have already been developed and are being implemented, ARTA Secretary Ernesto Perez said.
"If we face this challenge, we can look at that challenge as an opportunity to even work harder, relying on our own resources," he added.
The projects were identified as the Regulatory Reform Support Program for National Development and the Regulatory Impact Assessment Training for Local Government Units.
Details of the USAid funding, however, were not disclosed.
"The projects have already been developed, now we are in the implementation stage. Thankfully we are not significantly affected," Perez told reporters.
