US, Philippine Officials Meet Under TIFA to Discuss Balanced Trade

U.S. and Philippine officials met on July 10 in Manila under their Trade and Investment Framework Agreement, having “constructive discussions” on customs, agriculture and intellectual property protection, among other issues, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative said (here). Officials also discussed the Philippines’ progress in implementing the World Trade Organization Trade Facilitation Agreement and WTO Information Technology Agreement Expansion, USTR said. The agency’s statement also noted the U.S. had a $1.8 billion trade deficit with the Philippines in 2016, and said that bilateral officials agreed to work to foster “free, fair, and balanced trade,” including by promoting increased trade and eliminating trade barriers. Assistant U.S. Trade Representative Barbara Weisel and Philippine Under Secretary of Trade Ceferino Rodolfo chaired the meeting.