Lopez: RCEP tariff lines at 90-92%

Published September 11, 2017 04:44 PM By JON VIKTOR D. CABUENAS,GMA News

Member nations of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have agreed to keep tariff lines on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) between 90 to 92 percent, Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez said Monday.

"Ninety to 92—we're still at those numbers," Lopez told reporters in Pasay City.

Lopez is the chairman of the ASEAN Economic Ministers, in line with the Philippine hosting of ASEAN 2017.

A tariff line is a product as defined on a list of tariff rates.

ASEAN consists of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Its six dialogue partners are Australia, China, India, Japan, Republic of Korea, and New Zealand.

"The positive development is that there is more openness from our FTA partners to consider quite a solid and strong ASEAN position," Lopez said.

Half of the non-ASEAN partners were receptive to abide by the 90 to 92 percent target of the ASEAN.

"As long as we agree on a set of parameters, then I think that will be a substantial discussion," he said.

The RCEP partners are scheduled to submit new trade offers later this month, in line with another round of negotiations in October. — VDS, GMA News

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