EU eyes quicker FTA negotiations with Philippines amid Trump tariffs

May 14 ------ The European Union (EU) is open to accelerating the negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) with the Philippines amid global trade uncertainties such as the tariff policy of the United States (US). EU Ambassador to the Philippines Massimo Santoro said on Tuesday, May 13, that the 27-member bloc is keen on concluding the FTA “at an even higher pace” on the wake of ongoing economic tensions. “Of course, this depends on the goodwill of both sides. But it's clear that in a context where the planet is now under this tariff-related issue, we cannot but multiply the opportunities to reduce to zero these tariffs,” Santoro told reporters. “Of course, we have to combine the content with the speed, so this is clear that speed has never to be detrimental to good content,” he added. 

The potential to fast-track negotiations comes at a time when the Philippines is seeing greater trade preference under the EU’s Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+). The GSP+ is a special incentive arrangement that initially offered zero tariffs on 6,274 products or 66 percent of all EU tariff lines. Last year, this was extended to its record-high 80 percent, with a potential to go even higher by year-end, as the EU and the Philippines continue to build a strong relationship. 

The next round of talks between both sides is expected to be commence next month in Brussels, Belgium. This was preceded by two rounds of negotiations in Manila in February and in October last year, which saw the resumption of FTA talks. The first series of negotiations for a Philippine and EU FTA was launched in December 2015, with the first round taking place in May 2016 and the second in February 2017. The talks were then put on hold after the EU flagged alleged human rights abuses during the bloody anti-drug campaign of former president Rodrigo Duterte. 

Santoro said Duterte, who is now detained in The Hague for alleged crimes against humanity, is not an element to the negotiation of the FTA. “The two parties negotiating the free trade agreement are focusing on the trade-related elements, are focusing on the implementation of the obligations, in terms of implementation of the partnership and cooperation agreement that is the founding element of the cooperation between the EU and the Philippines,” he said. He, however, stressed that the human rights aspect plays a crucial role in developing the FTA, alongside sustainability, inclusivity, and the health and welfare of the people. 

With the ongoing process of negotiations, Santoro said both sides have yet to disagree on certain elements of the FTA. In fact, he said the EU and the Philippines actively engage in discussions in between the talks. The ambassador said one of the key features they agreed in is implementing a digital chapter in the FTA, which he says can help facilitate infrastructure that would improve access to public services. In view of human rights, he said the chapter can likewise enable Filipinos in need to access the means to seek justice. 

Currently, the EU has FTAs with Singapore and Vietnam. Aside from the Philippines, the bloc is currently in discussion with Thailand and Malaysia. 

Source: mb.com.ph