VIENTIANE – In the ongoing review of the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA), the Philippines is actively seeking to retain special terms that safeguard its agricultural sectors, particularly for sensitive products like rice and sugar.
According to Philippines News Agency, this stance was presented by Department of Trade and Industry Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo during the ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM) Meeting and Related Meetings held from September 16 to 22 in Laos. Rodolfo emphasized that the Philippines is not advocating for these terms as a means to restrict trade but to ensure that the concerns of local stakeholders are adequately addressed. “The Philippines is not requesting its retention as a trade-restrictive instrument but rather to uphold our commitment to our stakeholders that their concerns and sensitivities are addressed accordingly,” Rodolfo stated.
Currently, ATIGA allows member countries to temporarily suspend preferences for importing rice and sugar if the volume of imports poses a serious threat to the domestic industry. This protocol is crucial for the Philippines, which seeks to balance regional trade commitments with domestic agricultural protection.
During the meeting, Rodolfo also highlighted the Philippines’ commitment to ATIGA’s broader goals, including the removal of trade barriers and the enhancement of trade facilitation within ASEAN. He noted significant progress in this area with the Philippines initiating the full issuance and acceptance of e-Form D this year, representing the first electronic documents exchanged through the ASEAN Single Window.
Rodolfo further advocated for ASEAN member states to collaborate in reducing burdens on consumers and businesses, especially micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which are often the most affected by trade policies. “All ASEAN member states should work together to avoid actions that increase burdens and costs for consumers and businesses, particularly micro, small, and medium enterprises,” he added.
Under ATIGA, 2 percent of tariff lines are excluded from liberalization, with tariffs on these excluded lines ranging from 5 to 35 percent, allowing some protection for critical sectors such as agriculture.