The Philippines urged Asia-Pacific economies to keep markets open, strengthen supply chains, and accelerate cooperation on digital and green trade as global disruptions continue to affect shipping routes, logistics costs, and trade flows.
Speaking at the APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting in Suzhou, China last week, Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina A. Roque said regional economic integration must remain practical and responsive to the needs of businesses, workers, and consumers amid rising uncertainty in global trade.
Roque called on member economies to reduce unnecessary trade barriers and adopt interoperable rules, transparent procedures, and capacity-building initiatives that enable more economies to participate in high-quality regional trade arrangements.
“APEC’s comparative advantage is our ability to build trust through practical convergence—not by forcing uniformity, but by reducing friction where it matters most for businesses, workers, and consumers,” she said.
The Philippines highlighted the need for resilient and secure supply chains, noting that ongoing shipping and trade disruptions continue to drive up costs across the region.
Roque also emphasized the critical role of Filipino seafarers in sustaining global commerce, stressing that the human impact of supply chain disruptions must be addressed.
During the meeting, the Philippines reaffirmed support for a rules-based multilateral trading system anchored in the World Trade Organization and advocated for reforms covering e-commerce, fisheries subsidies, and agricultural trade.
The country also promoted enhanced cooperation on digital trade, artificial intelligence, and green investments, identifying these sectors as key drivers of inclusive and sustainable growth across the Asia-Pacific region.
