Eliminate domestic support, export subsidies, WTO urged

MANILA, Philippines — Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez has called on World Trade Organization (WTO) members to eliminate trade-distorting domestic support and export subsidies to ensure that marginalized sectors would not be left behind by globalization.

In a speech delivered during the 11th WTO Pre-Ministerial Conference in Argentina, Lopez sought for the substantial reduction or elimination of trade-distorting domestic support by developed countries and developing countries which retain domestic support entitlements as well as the elimination of all forms of export subsidies.

“It is time for WTO to deliver on its promise. It should implement a globalization framework that is truly developmental and where no one is left behind,” Lopez said.

He said the Philippines, for its part, has benefited from globalization, in particular from the WTO.

“We have been growing at the fastest rate for the past five years and globally linked, modern sectors such as BPOs and IT-enabled services, semiconductors and electronics, parts manufacturing for global value chains in auto and aerospace and shipbuilding, among others, have been major contributors,” he said.

“Our goal in globalization is not only for the Philippines to grow, but for each and every Filipino to participate in and not just benefit from economic development. We cannot rely on growth to trickle down – the marginalized should be active participants in economic activities at the outset,” Lopez added.

The Philippines has also placed high on its priority for the WTO meet the improvement of disciplines to protect the domestic agricultural sector through a special safeguard mechanism as well as outcomes that will lead to greater participation in international trade for micro, small and medium enterprises, particularly those based in developing countries.

Lopez said the Philippines would also argue for the Doha Development Agenda (DDA) to remain as the overall framework for WTO negotiations.

The Ministerial Declaration in Doha 2001 recognized that “trade can play a major role in the promotion of economic development and the alleviation of poverty.”

In particular, Lopez said the DDA highlights the need to provide a discipline on the subsidies being given by developed countries to their agriculture and provide more effective temporary protection from price volatilities to poor and vulnerable farmers.

Lopez and Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol will be the co-lead of the Philippine delegation in Buenos Aires.

The Ministerial Conference will gather trade ministers, foreign ministers and high-level representatives from the WTO’s 164 member countries.