The Philippines and the United States may soon forge a free trade agreement (FTA) on cyberspace and digital technology as Washington expressed commitment in helping Manila in the said fields, Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel "Babe" Romualdez said.
Ahead of the trilateral meet among President Marcos, US President Joe Biden, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the White House, Romualdez disclosed that the Philippines is now looking at entering into an FTA with the US on areas that would enhance trade and economic cooperation of both countries.
"Well, on specific areas. Specific areas–probably in the cyberspace, for instance, or in the digital technology and of course, there are many other areas that I think we can work with the United States on having this," he said.
"As I said, the United States (has) committed itself into really helping – well, I wouldn’t wanna put it (as) helping, but looking at the Philippines as really a major investment hub for many American companies," the envoy added.
According to Romualdez, the Philippines will be following up on salient points taken up on the outcome of the previous meeting with US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, particularly on potential investors coming into the country.
“The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, which the United States has initiated, of which we are one of the founding members of that economic framework, is looking at including the entire ASEAN region," he said.
Aside from FTA with the US, the Philippines is also eyeing similar trade ties with Japan, he added.