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  1. Negotiations

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

US urges Philippines to sign FTA
17-Mar-2005 AFP
US Assistant Trade Representative Barbara Weisel urged the Philippines to sign a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) with Washington to boost its underperforming economy and keep it globally competitive.
Free trade agreements
27-Feb-2005 BusinessWorld
The formation of free-trade agreements (FTA) has become a worldwide trend in recent decades. The Philippines, in particular, is showing interest in a slew of trade agreements.
De Venecia proposes Phil-Korean trade partnership accord
18-Feb-2005 Manila Bulletin
Philippine Speaker Jose de Venecia has proposed to South Korean Prime Minister Lee Hae Chan and Speaker of Parliament Kim Won Ki the opening of negotiations for a Philippine-Korean Economic Partnership Agreement that would lead to large-scale investments, trade, and technology transfer to the country.
Great on paper, hard to execute
7-Feb-2005 ABS-CBN
In a recent discussion on the prospects for a Philippines-US FTA organized by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies, Romeo G. Borillo, the country’s trade representative in Washington DC, refused to divulge details of the proposed agreement.
Philippines: No systematic framework for FTA negotiations yet
28-Oct-2004 ABS-CBN
The Philippines has yet to adopt a systematic framework that would govern its negotiations for bilateral free-trade agreements (FTAs) with other countries, according to two economic analysts.
US businessmen back Arroyo reform agenda
19-Sep-2004 inq7money.net
American businessmen have given the thumbs up to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s move to undertake "painful" reforms in solving the fiscal crisis and a projected power crisis, Philippines-US Business Council chairman Ramon del Rosario Jr. said Thursday.
RP proposes selective FTA with US
30-Aug-2004 RP proposes selective FTA with US
The government will try a novel approach in securing a free trade agreement (FTA) with the United States since the US does not believe that the Philippines is ready for a full bilateral FTA.
US lukewarm to trade pact with RP
9-Aug-2004 US lukewarm to trade pact with RP
The United States appears uninclined to forge a bilateral free trade agreement with the Philippines, citing the latter’s seeming inability to make good its commitments.
RP studies free-trade agreement with US
8-Aug-2004 R.P. studies free-trade agreement with U.S.
The government is set to pursue plans to enter into an economic partnership or free-trade agreement with its largest trading partner the United States, Trade Undersecretary Thomas Aquino said.
Analysis: The ABC Behind a US-Philippines FTA
12-May-2004 Bulatlat.com
Through an extensive and intimate participation in the political process behind economic reforms, U.S. monopoly capital is able to shape the contours of U.S.-Philippine "special relations" for its own avaricious ends.