The Philippines failed to get the additional $100 million more in export privileges committed by the Bush administration under the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences (USGSP) as the U.S. Congress only approved $30 million worth of benefits to Manila’s exports of six products.
But the U.S. did not include the petition of the Philippines for the inclusion of tuna. Also carageenan, and pineapple juice were not considered in the new list.
During President Gloria Arroyo’s state visit to the U.S. last May, the Bush administration committed to grant the Philippines $100 million more in export privileges of new products, which included duty free access for canned tuna into the U.S. market.
The GSP is a scheme whereby the U.S. grants duty-free treatment access to approximately 4,100 products from 139 beneficiary countries including the Philippines.
It was re-authorized by the U.S. Congress retroactive to September 30, 2001 up to December 31, 2006.
Earlier, Trade and Industry Secretary Manuel A. Roxas II, who accompanied President Gloria Arroyo in the recent state visit to the U.S., said the $100 million in GSP privileges is on top of the earlier confirmed $1 billion worth of Philippine exports under the GSP scheme.