Phl pushes inclusion in US-Japan minerals deal

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is urging the US and Japan to include the Philippines in the existing critical minerals agreement of both countries.

- LOUELLA DESIDERIO

During the recent Trilateral Economic Ministers Meeting, Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual told reporters he proposed that the Philippines become part of the existing US-Japan critical minerals agreement, if it would be difficult to have a separate bilateral agreement with the US for such.

While no common agreement has been reached yet, Pascual said US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and Minister Ken Saito of the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry are open to the proposal.

"If we have an agreement, our partners would have priority to get the supply," Pascual said.