PH seeks duty-free rights in US PBBM urges renewal of country's inclusion in ‘preferential‘ trade program

By Vince Lopez and Maricel V. Cruz

WASHINGTON

D.C.—PRESI-

DENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday (Thursday, Manila time) called for the renewal of the Philippines’ participation in the US Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) trade program, which allowed the duty-free entry of several Philippine products into the United States.

The country’s eligibility for the US GSP program expired on Dec. 31, 2020.

“We would like to request reauthorization… to boost trade and to make US products that are made in the Philippines more competitive," Mr. Marcos said in a speech at a forum organized by the US-ASEAN BusinessCouncil and at a US Chamber of Commerce roundtable and reception at the Blair House in Washing ton DC. gram, he said, would increase