Duterte pushes for free trade deal during talks with Trump

31st ASEAN SUMMIT AND RELATED SUMMITS/ NOVEMBER 12,2017
President Rodrigo Duterte with US President Donald Trump during the bilateral meeting held at the PICC during the 31st ASEAN Summits and Related Summits on Monday, November 13, 2017.
PHOTO BY: JOAN S BONDOC/PDI

President Rodrigo Duterte has pushed for a free trade agreement (FTA) during his bilateral talks with US President Donald Trump at the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), a Palace spokesperson said Monday.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the FTA with the United States aims to reduce quotas and tariffs in the importation of goods.

“There was also a discussion on trade. The Philippines expressed a view that they’re appreciative of the general system of preference and suggested that free trade agreement also be concluded between the US and the Philippines,” Roque, who was present during the meeting, said in a statement.

The general system of preference is a US trade program that eliminates taxes and duties on 5,000 types of products imported from developing countries, including the Philippines. This, however, excludes textile, apparel, and footwear.

Roque said Duterte had pointed out that the US has concluded its FTA with Japan and Vietnam.

“Trump said they will study the matter,” Roque said.

Duterte’s push came as the two leaders reaffirm the “great” and “successful” relations between the two countries.

“President Trump specifically said that he has always been a friend of the Duterte administration unlike the previous administrations of the United States,” Roque said.

“But he stressed that he can be counted upon as a friend of the Duterte administration,” he added.