PH welcomes new Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement

Submitted by Vox Bikol on Tue, 10/20/2015 - 21:04

MAKATI CITY, Oct. 20 -- The Trans-Pacific Partnership’s (TPP) new trade pact includes provisions to lower barriers to trade in services and remove barriers on foreign investment, in addition to lowering tariffs on goods trade.

It also has provisions setting common minimum standards on labor markets and environmental protections, as well as international dispute resolution regimes.

The TPP is a landmark agreement which eliminates or reduces tariffs, lowers the cost of trade, and sets new and high standards for global trade while addressing next-generation issues. The TPP is envisioned to promote economic growth, create jobs, raise living standards, reduce poverty, promote good governance, and enhance labor and environmental protections among its member countries.

“The recently concluded Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement is a timely and welcome development for the Philippines. Joining the TPP is a significant component of our international trade strategy (ITS) which we have been implementing over the past four years,” Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary Adrian S. Cristobal Jr. said. 

While the Philippines is not included in the first batch, Cristobal affirmed that the “Philippines has indicated very clearly that we would like to join the TPP and would want to start discussions for our entry once it opens its doors to new members. Even before the TPP was concluded, the Philippine government had already undertaken technical consultations with 6 out of the 12 TPP countries, and the talks will continue.”

The Philippines had previously conducted technical discussions with Malaysia, the US, New Zealand, Australia, Mexico and Canada, and will soon initiate the same with Japan, Peru, Chile, Singapore, Brunei, and Vietnam. “We also asked the TPP members regarding their policy on admitting new members and they said that the (TPP) agreement has to be concluded first. From all indications, the 12 TPP members have been supportive of our desire to join,” Cristobal added. To become part of the TPP, the Philippines will need an endorsement from the 12 parties of the trade agreement.

Cristobal said the Philippines was anticipating the signing of the agreement since this will provide access to the content of the agreement. “With the final text of the agreement made available, we can have a more definite evaluation of the impact of being a TPP member.”

According to Cristobal, the Philippines continues to aggressively pursue alternative tracks to obtain market access for the country’s products.

“This is consistent with our international trade strategy of forging free trade agreements and obtaining market access for our products and services. For our European strategy, the Philippines obtained access to the European market through the EU Generalized System of Preferences plus (GSP+) in December 2014. We have also commenced formal talks for a PH-EU FTA, while negotiations are ongoing with the European Free Trade Area (EFTA),” Cristobal said. 

Cristobal emphasized that while the country is not yet a member of the TPP, Philippine products already enjoy favorable market access to the United States. About 70% of Philippine exports enter the US market duty free, through zero tariffs under the Most Favored Nation (MFN) status or through the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP).

Nevertheless, Cristobal acknowledged concerns over challenging chapters in the deal, particularly those involving intellectual property rights, government procurement, and investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS), which the country must face when it enters negotiations. He explained that the Philippines is aware of the possible high-level commitments that the deal will require, and the country’s constitutional limits to foreign investments, and practice of profession, among others, which may not fit with the requirements of TPP membership.

“Joining the TPP will provide more opportunities to further strengthen our foothold in the global market with our local enterprises, workers and consumers benefitting from bigger markets and increased foreign investments,” he added.

Cristobal stressed that “before we enter formal discussions for membership in the TPP, we will carefully review the final and full text of the agreement, evaluate its impact on the economy, and consult thoroughly with our various stakeholders.”

The 12 TPP members - Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the United States, and Vietnam - announced the conclusion of their negotiations last Monday. These 12 countries have a combined population of 800 million, and projected to account for 40% of the world’s gross domestic product and 30% of world trade. (DTI)