DTI chief bats for inclusion of garments, shoes in US GSP

WhilePresident Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. called for the renewal of the United States Generalized System of Preference (US GSP) in a meeting with business executives in Washington D.C., the country’s top trade official has reiterated the request of the Philippines to include garments and shoes in the tariff privileges.

In a virtual briefing with trade reporters late Wednesday evening, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Alfredo Pascual said he conveyed to US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo during their side meetings the request of the Philippine government to extend the zero-tariff to Philippine-made garments and shoes.

Pascual said he also underscored the importance of the US GSP renewal for the Philippines.

utive (side), what (they) are saying to the Secretary is that they are fully supportive of the reauthorization, and we are hopeful that similar in the past, it will be reauthorized despite the lapse of the previous one,” DTI Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo said.