MANILA, Philippines – Umapela si Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. sa Estados Unidos na bilisan ang reauthorization ng Generalized System of Preference (US GSP), na nagbibigay ng preferential, duty-free entry ng mga piling produktong Pinoy sa pamilihan sa Amerika.
Sa pagsasalita sa isang business forum na co-hosted ng US-ASEAN Business Council at US Chamber of Commerce, sinabi ni Marcos ang pangangailangan ng bansa para sa GSP, sabay-sabing magbibigay ito ng malaking impact sa hinaharap ng bansa kasama ang Estados Unidos.
“Our future with the US will be sustained not only through security and defense alliances, which is ironclad, but also through closer economic integration,” anang Pangulo.
“For this reason, we appeal to the US Congress to fast-track the reauthorization of the US GSP program, which has benefited beneficiary countries such as the Philippines,” dagdag pa niya.
Ayon sa Office of the United States Trade Representative, ang GSP ay ang pinakamalaki at pinakamatandang trade preference program na nagsusulong ng sustainable development sa beneficiary countries sa pamamagitan ng pagtulong sa partner countries na palakasin ang kalakalan nito sa US.
Sinimulan ang GSP program noong Enero 1976 sa ilalim ng US Trade Act of 1974 sa loob ng 10 taon, at nire-renew ‘periodically’ ng US Congress.
Sa kaparehong speech, binanggit ni Marcos ang demand ng private sector para sa free trade agreement (FTA) kasama ang Estados Unidos.
“The benefits for concluding an FTA together with a Critical Minerals Agreement between our countries will be transformative and will create new jobs, strengthen supply chains, establish new businesses, and upskill our workforce,” aniya.
“The renewed alliance between the Philippines and the United States also underpins close people-to-people ties. The mutual understanding and admiration of both our peoples for each other, anchored on our own unique yet quite familiar cultures, binds us deeper. To further bridge our countries and connect our industries, the Philippines will continue to open its skies,” dagdag pa ni Marcos. RNT/JGC
