PH trade mission to visit US this month

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo said the Philippines and the US would have a bilateral strategic dialogue this month under the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA). (Shutterstock photo)

MANILA— Philippine trade delegation is set to visit the United States at the end of this month to meet their counterparts in the US Trade Representative (USTR).

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo said the Philippines and the US would have a bilateral strategic dialogue this month under the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA).

Rodolfo said the Philippines would push its interest for a free trade agreement (FTA) with the US.

The trade talks will come after the Philippines raised its intention to have an FTA with US during the bilateral meeting of President Rodrigo Duterte and President Donald Trump at the sidelines of the 31st ASEAN Summit and Related Summits.

Trump has welcomed the interest of the Philippines for a bilateral FTA.

Rodolfo added that the Philippines’ interest for FTA is to have better access to US market for its textile and garments industry.

Currently, 75 percent of Philippine exports to the US enjoy zero tariff under the Generalized System of Preferences.