Philippines
Concluding remarks by the Chairperson of the Trade Policy Review Body, H.E. Mr. Eduardo Muñoz Gómez at the Trade Policy Review of the Philippines 20 and 22 March 2012
This fourth Trade Policy Review of the Philippines has provided us with an excellent opportunity to improve our understanding of the Philippines’ trade and trade-related policies and practices and how they have evolved since the previous review in 2005. We are grateful for the active participation of the Filipino delegation headed by H.E. Mr. Adrian Cristobal Jr. Undersecretary of Trade and Industry. I would also like to thank the discussant Mr. Martin Glass of Hong Kong-China and Members of the TPRB for contributing to our fruitful exchange of views. At the outset I note the very comprehensive comments that have been made by Undersecretary Cristobal on a number of themes.
Introduction
The Trade Policy Review Mechanism (TPRM) was first established on a trial basis by the GATT contracting parties in April 1989. The Mechanism became a permanent feature of the World Trade Organization under the Marrakesh Agreement which established the WTO in January 1995.
Report by the WTO Secretariat
Since its last Trade Policy Review in 2012 the Philippine economy has grown at an average annual rate of about 6%. Growth was driven mainly by consumption and infrastructure investment. GDP per capita in 2016 was some US$2950 up from US$2580 in 2012. The poverty rate declined from 25.2% in 2012 to 21.6% in 2015. Services constitute the most important sector in terms of contribution to GDP and are also the fastest growing export sector. The Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022 focuses on making the economy more competitive underpinned by sound regulatory practices and competition policy and open services markets.
Philippines - Taxes on Distilled Spirits
On 29 July 2009 the European Communities requested consultations with the Philippines concerning the Philippines' current Excise Tax regime on distilled spirits which has been in place since 1997. The European Communities contends that the regime discriminates against imported distilled spirits by taxing them at a substantially higher rate than domestic spirits. The European Communities cites a number of specific measures under the regime in its request. The European Communities considers that these measures are inconsistent with the Philippines' obligations under GATT 1994 in particular Article III:2. On 10 August 2009 the United States requested to join the consultations. Subsequently the Philippines informed the DSB that it had accepted the request of the United States to join the consultations.
Tailandia - Medidas aduaneras y fiscales sobre los cigarrillos procedentes de Filipinas - Recurso 2
El 12 de julio de 2019 la OMC distribuyó el informe del Grupo Especial sobre el cumplimiento relativo al asunto planteado por Filipinas: “Tailandia — Medidas aduaneras y fiscales sobre los cigarrillos procedentes de Filipinas — Segundo recurso de Filipinas al párrafo 5 del artículo 21 del ESD” (DS371).
Thaïlande - Mesures douanières et fiscales visant les cigarettes en provenance des Philippines
Le 15 novembre 2010 l’OMC a publié le rapport du Groupe spécial chargé d’examiner la plainte des Philippines contre la Thaïlande qui concernait des mesures douanières et fiscales visant les cigarettes en provenance des Philippines (DS371).
Thailand - Customs and fiscal measures on cigarettes from the Philippines - Recourse 2
On 12 July 2019 the WTO circulated the panel report in the compliance case initiated by the Philippines in “Thailand — Customs and Fiscal Measures on Cigarettes from the Philippines — Second Recourse to Article 21.5 of the DSU by the Philippines” (DS371).
Philippines - Taxes sur les spiritueux distillés
L’Organe d’appel a remis le 21 décembre 2011 son rapport dans l’affaire “Philippines — Taxes sur les spiritueux distillés” (WT/DS396/AB/R et WT/DS403/AB/R).
Australie - Certaines mesures concernant les marques de fabrique ou de commerce, les indications géographiques et autres prescriptions en matière d’emballage neutre applicables aux produits du tabac et à leur emballage
Le 9 juin 2020 l’Organe d’appel a remis ses rapports dans les procédures engagées par le Honduras et la République dominicaine dans l’affaire “Australie — Certaines mesures concernant les marques de fabrique ou de commerce les indications géographiques et autres prescriptions en matière d’emballage neutre applicables aux produits du tabac et à leur emballage” (DS435 et DS441).
Philippines - Taxes on Distilled Spirits
On 29 July 2009 the European Communities requested consultations with the Philippines concerning the Philippines' current Excise Tax regime on distilled spirits which has been in place since 1997. The European Communities contends that the regime discriminates against imported distilled spirits by taxing them at a substantially higher rate than domestic spirits. The European Communities cites a number of specific measures under the regime in its request. The European Communities considers that these measures are inconsistent with the Philippines' obligations under GATT 1994 in particular Article III:2. On 10 August 2009 the United States requested to join the consultations. Subsequently the Philippines informed the DSB that it had accepted the request of the United States to join the consultations.
Philippines - Taxes sur les spiritueux distillés
Le 15 août 2011 l’OMC a publié le rapport du Groupe spécial qui avait examiné les plaintes de l’Union européenne et des États-Unis dans l’affaire “Philippines — Taxes sur les spiritueux distillés” (DS396 et DS403).
Filipinas - Impuestos sobre los aguardientes
El 15 de agosto de 2011 la OMC publicó el informe del Grupo Especial que había examinado las reclamaciones presentadas por la Unión Europea y los Estados Unidos en relación con el asunto “Filipinas — Impuestos sobre los aguardientes” (DS396 y DS403).
Australie - Certaines mesures concernant les marques de fabrique ou de commerce, les indications géographiques et autres prescriptions en matière d’emballage neutre applicables aux produits du tabac et à leur emballage
Le 28 juin 2014 l’OMC a distribué le rapport du Groupe spécial dans les affaires introduites par le Honduras la République dominicaine Cuba et l’Indonésie “Australie — Certaines mesures concernant les marques de fabrique ou de commerce les indications géographiques et autres prescriptions en matière d’emballage neutre applicables aux produits du tabac et à leur emballage” (DS435 DS441 DS458 et DS467)
United States - Safeguard Measure on Imports of Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Products
On 2 September 2021 the WTO circulated the panel report in the case brought by China in “United States — Safeguard Measure on Imports of Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Products” (DS562).
Brasil - Medidas que afectan al coco desecado
El 17 de octubre de 1996 la OMC hizo público el informe del Grupo especial sobre el caso “Brasil - Medidas que afectan al coco desecado”.
Thailand - Customs and Fiscal Measures on Cigarettes from the Philippines
On 7 February 2008 the Philippines requested consultations with Thailand concerning a number of Thai fiscal and customs measures affecting cigarettes from the Philippines. Such measures include Thailand's customs valuation practices excise tax health tax TV tax VAT regime retail licensing requirements and import guarantees imposed upon cigarette importers. The Philippines claims that Thailand administers these measures in a partial and unreasonable manner and thereby violates Article X:3(a) of the GATT 1994.
États-Unis - Mesure de sauvegarde visant les importations de produits photovoltaïques au silicium cristallin
Le 2 septembre 2020 l’OMC a distribué le rapport du Groupe spécial chargé d’examiner l’affaire introduite par la Chine “États-Unis — Mesure de sauvegarde visant les importations de produits photovoltaïques au silicium cristallin” (DS562).
Brazil - Measures Affecting Desiccated Coconut
On 27 November 1995 the Philippines requested consultations with Brazil in respect of a countervailing duty imposed by Brazil on the Philippine’s exports of desiccated coconut. The Philippines claimed that this duty was inconsistent with WTO and GATT rules.
Tailandia - Medidas aduaneras y fiscales sobre los cigarrillos procedentes de Filipinas
El 15 de noviembre de 2010 la OMC hizo público el informe del Grupo especial sobre el caso “Tailandia - Medidas aduaneras y fiscales sobre los cigarrillos procedentes de Filipinas”.
Thaïlande - Mesures douanières et fiscales visant les cigarettes en provenance des Philippines
Le 17 juin 2011 l’Organe d’appel a publié son rapport dans l’affaire Thaïlande — Mesures douanières et fiscales visant les cigarettes en provenance des Philippines (WT/DS371/AB/R).
Thailand - Customs and Fiscal Measures on Cigarettes from the Philippines
On 7 February 2008 the Philippines requested consultations with Thailand concerning a number of Thai fiscal and customs measures affecting cigarettes from the Philippines. Such measures include Thailand's customs valuation practices excise tax health tax TV tax VAT regime retail licensing requirements and import guarantees imposed upon cigarette importers. The Philippines claims that Thailand administers these measures in a partial and unreasonable manner and thereby violates Article X:3(a) of the GATT 1994.
Thaïlande - Mesures douanières et fiscales visant les cigarettes en provenance des Philippines - Recours 2
Le 12 juillet 2019 l’OMC a distribué le rapport du Groupe spécial dans la procédure de mise en conformité engagée par les Philippines dans l’affaire “Thaïlande — Mesures douanières et fiscales visant les cigarettes en provenance des Philippines — Deuxième recours des Philippines à l’article 21:5 du Mémorandum d’accord sur le règlement des différends” (DS371).
Estados Unidos - Medida de salvaguardia sobre las importaciones de productos fotovoltaicos de silicio cristalino
El 2 de septiembre de 2021 la OMC distribuyó el informe del Grupo Especial encargado de examinar el asunto “Estados Unidos — Medida de salvaguardia sobre las importaciones de productos fotovoltaicos de silicio cristalino” (DS562) planteado por China.
Australia - Certain Measures Concerning Trademarks, Geographical Indications and Other Plain Packaging Requirements Applicable to Tobacco Products and Packaging
On 9 June 2020 the Appellate Body issued its reports in the cases brought by Honduras and the Dominican Republic in “Australia — Certain Measures Concerning Trademarks Geographical Indications and Other Plain Packaging Requirements Applicable to Tobacco Products and Packaging” (DS435 and DS441).
Australia - Determinadas medidas relativas a las marcas de fábrica o de comercio, indicaciones geográficas y otras prescripciones de empaquetado genérico aplicables a los productos de tabaco y al empaquetado de esos productos
El 9 de junio de 2020 el Órgano de Apelación emitió sus informes en los asuntos planteados por Honduras y la República Dominicana en “Australia — Determinadas medidas relativas a las marcas de fábrica o de comercio indicaciones geográficas y otras prescripciones de empaquetado genérico aplicables a los productos de tabaco y al empaquetado de esos productos” (DS435 y DS441).
Brasil - Medidas que afectan al coco desecado
El 21 de febrero de 1997 el Órgano de Apelación hizo público el informe sobre el caso “Brasil - Medidas que afectan al coco desecado”.
Filipinas - Impuestos sobre los aguardientes
El 21 de diciembre de 2011 el Órgano de Apelación emitió su informe sobre la diferencia “Filipinas — Impuestos sobre los aguardientes” (WT/DS396/AB/R y WT/DS403/AB/R).
Brazil - Measures Affecting Desiccated Coconut
On 27 November 1995 the Philippines requested consultations with Brazil in respect of a countervailing duty imposed by Brazil on the Philippine’s exports of desiccated coconut. The Philippines claimed that this duty was inconsistent with WTO and GATT rules.
Tailandia - Medidas aduaneras y fiscales sobre los cigarrillos procedentes de Filipinas
El 17 de junio de 2011 el Órgano de Apelación hizo público el informe sobre el caso “Tailandia - Medidas aduaneras y fiscales sobre los cigarrillos procedentes de Filipinas”.
Brésil - Mesures visant la noix de coco desséchée
Le 17 octobre 1996 l’OMC a publié le rapport du Groupe spécial dans l’affaire “Bresil - Mesures visant la noix de coco dessechee”.