Earth Science News
TRADE WARS
Philippine lawmakers ratify entry to world's largest trade pact
Philippine lawmakers ratify entry to world's largest trade pact
by AFP Staff Writers
Manila (AFP) Feb 21, 2023

Philippine lawmakers approved Tuesday the country's entry into the world's biggest free trade bloc, with supporters arguing it will boost investment and jobs, but detractors warned it could hurt farmers.

The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership includes 10 Southeast Asian economies along with China, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand and Australia, with members accounting for around 30 percent of global gross domestic product.

Launched in 2012, the deal was signed in November 2020 and took effect January 2022 with most member countries ratifying the pact.

The agreement to lower tariffs and open up the services trade does not include the United States and is viewed as a coup for China in expanding its influence.

Before the Senate's overwhelming approval Tuesday, the Philippines was the last holdout to the trade deal.

President Ferdinand Marcos's administration and business leaders had lobbied the Senate to ratify the pact, citing benefits for local consumers, businesses and the wider economy.

The pact should help reduce costs and make life easier for companies by letting them export products anywhere within the bloc without meeting separate requirements for each country.

It touches on intellectual property, but environmental protections and labour rights are not part of the deal.

The Senate passed a resolution to ratify the treaty late Tuesday by a 20-1 vote, with one abstention.

"I think for us it's a game changer," Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said Tuesday.

"Foreign investors look for places to go where there are clear rules, particularly trade facilitation, investment policies, and which are followed and not subject to change at any time," Balisacan told reporters.

"By being a member we are saying to the world, 'we are ready for this, we play by the rules of the game, and your investment is safe with us'."

The Makati Business Club said the pact would also help Philippine companies expand overseas and accelerate job creation, adding there were "adequate safeguards" to protect local industries.

"We also believe competition will result in better local players and better products and services for Filipinos," it said.

However, farming groups and some lawmakers had opposed the pact for fear it could lead to agricultural imports flooding the Philippine market.

Senator Imee Marcos, the sister of the president, said measures to protect the country's interests "appear to be just ornaments".

"This is what is frightening," she said, before abstaining from the vote.

"It is not clear how the (farm) sector can capitalise on these potential gains" from joining the RCEP.

India withdrew from the agreement in 2019 over concerns about cheap Chinese goods entering the country, but may opt to join at a later date.

Related Links
Global Trade News

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
TRADE WARS
Australian miner BHP says China, India to boost demand
Melbourne (AFP) Feb 21, 2023
Global mining group BHP said Tuesday it expects China and India to boost demand for its commodities in the year ahead after profits took a hit from lower iron ore and copper prices The Australian multinational, a leading producer of metallurgical coal, iron ore, nickel, copper and potash, said net profit slumped 32 percent year-on-year to US$6.46 billion in the six months to December 31. Sales slid 16 percent to $25.7 billion in the same period, it said, citing a drop in prices for iron ore and ... read more

TRADE WARS
Ukraine's forces train near Chernobyl exclusion zone

Syrian quake survivors shelter in crumbling Aleppo homes

Turkey watchdog fines three outlets for quake coverage

How does aid get into rebel-held northwest Syria

TRADE WARS
Scientists identify new mechanism of corrosion

A more sustainable way to generate phosphorus

Carbon-neutral pavements are possible by 2050

D-Orbit signs launch contract with Patriot Infovention

TRADE WARS
UN tries anew to finish treaty protecting the high seas

Building higher islands could save the Maldives from sea-level rise

Ben-Gurion engineers develop one of the fastest and most efficient amphibious robots

Concerns and impatience over mining the world's seabeds

TRADE WARS
Antarctica sea ice melts to a record low

Too warm in Canada: world's largest ice rink may not open

New technique maps large-scale impacts of fire-induced permafrost thaw in Alaska

Researchers build more detailed picture of the movement of Greenland Ice Sheet

TRADE WARS
Thai farmers tap into sustainable rubber industry

Drought and frost batter vital potato crops in Bolivia

Bird man in Turkey vows to tend to flock after quake

Carbon emissions from fertilizers could be reduced by as much as 80% by 2050

TRADE WARS
Wetter storms, deforestation: Manila faces worsening floods

New quake hits Turkey and Syria, killing six

Lula visits disaster zone after Brazil floods kill 40

Cyclone recovery expected to cost New Zealand billions

TRADE WARS
US first lady to visit Namibia, Kenya in push to boost African ties

Most trafficked Sahel firearms are from national armies: UN

Kenyan troops crackdown on bandits; Mass trial opens in Chad; 19 killed in Burkina

Somaliland accuses Somalia of attacks despite truce

TRADE WARS
In Old Cairo, residents reconnect with their heritage

Iraq dig uncovers 5,000 year old pub restaurant

People can tell whether they like a song within seconds, study finds

Changing climate conditions likely facilitated human migrations to the Americas

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.