Deeper PH-US Trade & Investment Cooperation Continues to be Pushed in Washington
Undersecretary for Industry Development and Trade Policy Director Ron Baumgarten (left) and Department of Trade and Industry Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo (right) meet at the Philippine Embassy on 01 June 2018. Joining the meeting is Embassy Economic Minister JV Chan Gonzaga (center). (Washington PE photo)
WASHINGTON, D.C. 07 June 2018 —Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary for Industry Development and Trade Policy Dr. Ceferino S. Rodolfo met with senior US government officials, executives of the US business community, and congressional staffers to discuss trade and investment issues, and exchanged views on how to further deepen the important PH-US economic and development partnership on 31 May and 01 June 2018.
The Undersecretary’s visit was a follow-up to the meetings under the Philippine-US Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) held on 29 November 2017 in Washington, D.C. It was also intended to further build on the results of the November 2017 meeting between President Duterte and President Donald Trump, where the United States welcomed Philippine interest in deepening the bilateral trade relationship through consideration of a potential free trade agreement.
“My meetings in Washington DC this week were also aimed at pursuing crucial conversations with the US government and business community, as we find ways to enhance our trade and economic relations in order to achieve mutual prosperity,” Undersecretary Rodolfo said in a statement.
“There were additional discussions of outstanding TIFA issues as a result of the candid and productive meetings that Deputy USTR Jeffrey Gerrish recently had in Manila with Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez, DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez, and Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol,” he added.
Undersecretary Rodolfo’s engagements included meetings with Deputy Assistant Commerce Secretary Diane Farrel, USTR Director Ron Baumgarten, US Chamber of Commerce Senior Vice President for Asia Charles Freeman, and US-ASEAN Business Council President Alexander Feldman.
“The Duterte Administration is transforming the Philippine economy to ensure that jobs are created for all those who wish to work, and to ensure that growth is inclusive and equitable,” Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel G. Romualdez also said in a separate statement. “At the same time, we believe that development partners like the United States can play a dynamic and positive role in helping us transform our economy. I am confident that Undersecretary Rodolfo’s visit this week significantly contributed to the Embassy’s efforts at finding those important synergies with the US Government and business community.” END
For more information, visit www.washingtonpe.dfa.gov.ph/ www.philippineembassy-usa.org or https://www.facebook.com/philippinesusa @philippinesusa on Twitter
Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo meets with US Chamber of Commerce Senior Vice President for Asia Charles Freeman and Senior Director Southeast Asia John Goyer on 31 May 2018. (Washington PE photo)
Group photo of DTI Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo with members of the Economic team of the Philippine Embassy and the US-ASEAN Business Council after their meeting on 31 May 2018. (Washington PE photo)