PH remains keen on joining TPP

THE Philippines is not closing its doors on joining the US-led Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement, but it will wait for the agreement to be finalized first and for the text to become publicly available to be able to make an informed judgment on whether it should join the trade pact or not,  a senior trade official said.

The United States wants the Philippines to be part of the TPP but membership in the trade pact involves taking obligations to implement market liberalizing measures, which will require a resolute commitment of the Philippine government and the business community if such measures are to be met.