TAG-TICs

TAG-TICsTrade Advocates Group Trade and

Investment Campaigns

Background

• Trade Advocates Group (TAG) is a loose network of NGOs who are engaged in trade campaign and advocacy

• Basis of unity is to consolidate the efforts of its members in engaging the government that would protect its constituents from WTO negotiations and coming up with modalities that water down the policy space

Background

• TAG worked on the formulation of the National Trade Agenda to ensure that the country will benefit from trade and avoid adverse impacts of trade liberalization

• TAG also launched the campaign for the establishment of the Philippine Trade Representative Office (PTRO)

Background

• TAG decided to scrutinize regional and bilateral agreements

• TAG was able to bring up the issues on bilateral and free trade agreements through researches through researches on:– ATIGA– ACFTA– Tariff Recalibration on Fishery Products

Background

• TAG was also able to capitalize on its capacity to campaign through the emerging issue on JPEPA

• Though not a complete success, TAG was able to draw support from other sectors such as medical practitioners, environmentalists and labor when they actively engaged the legislative branch on the issue of JPEPA (Bantay-JPEPA)

Internal Reflection

• Although there are specific issues that are handled by individual members of the coalition, there are issues and tasks that are too big and too complex that any single organization may find it difficult to handle

• The network was able to develop a platform that can help facilitate the balancing of various sectoral interests

Hence…

• TAG has a big potential for greater cohesiveness and cooperation given the appropriate time and resources

Current External Context

• Although there was an impasse on the recently concluded 7th WTO MC, it was an opportunity for members to gather and review the entire waterfront of activities of this organization

• Ministers affirmed the need for conclusion of the DOHA Development Round in 2010 and for a stock taking exercise to take place in the 1st quarter of 2010

Current External Context

• Still, many believe that more bilateral and regional free trade arrangements will be negotiated again

• These BTAs and RTAs are patterned to GATT-WTO Framework and Modalities

• Deals within country to country or regional bloc to country are done in haste (agreements are being put into force without broad consultation from and further scrutiny by the affected sectors and/or industries)

Current External Context

• 25 RTAs were notified to the WTO Secretariat from Oct 2008 – Oct 2009, making an overall total of 364 agreements notified to the WTO.

• Of which, 186 are currently in force• East Asia has become very active in RTA

negotiations

Current External Context• The Philippines, through the ASEAN, has been

involved in the ff trade agreements and frameworks (in 2009 alone)– ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand FTA (signed Feb

2009)– ASEAN-Korea Agreement on Investment (signed

June 2009)– ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (signed

2009)– On Jan 01, 2010, the ASEAN-China FTA has kicked

off

With that, TAG believes…

“The overarching principle is that Trade and Investment policies should work towards the promotion of Economic Justice and will ensure Food Security that will reduce (if not eradicate) poverty.”

With that, TAG believes…

1. There is a need to harmonize inter-government policies and product standards; step up market linkages and other trade-related activities, both domestic and international; provide the necessary logistics (domestic support) and lower input costs. The establishment of a national coordinating body such as the PTRO will be crucial

With that, TAG believes…

2. Push for comprehensive development agenda in which the National Trade Agenda that was developed by the network is well articulated.

3. TAG should look into legal remedies on all trade related actions by the government by challenging the legality/constitutionality bilateral and regional trade agreements wherein the Philippines is a party as well as the issuances of Executive Orders to this effect and on tariff related measures.

With that, TAG believes…

4. In the context of the Doha round of negotiations, we should pursue advocating for the maximum possible policy space preservation, including market access flexibilities such as SP and SSM in agriculture.

5. Policy recommendations reflected in the researches made by TAG should be translated into policy and advocacy agenda.

Our Way Forward(Starting MARCH 1, 2010)

Objective

• The overall objective of TAG’s forthcoming actions is to influence government’s decisions in all trade-related policies and negotiations on three levels (bilateral agreements, regional free trade areas and multilateral arrangements). A greater cohesiveness among TAG’s members is considered as a complimentary objective of the network’s actions.

Expected Results and Major ActivitiesResult 1: Policy agenda and campaign strategies that are

anchored on the researches conducted by TAG.• Colloquium on ATIGA, ACFTA and Tariff Recalibration researches to

validate analyses and policy recommendations (1st priority) - ATIGA: March 17, Half-day activity (1-4pm, PRRM), 30 participants

• Consolidate policy recommendations derived from those researches and develop a strategic campaign– 100 days trade agenda– Trade Legislative Agenda building for the 15th Congress (cross-cutting

in all projects)• Conduct other researches that require utmost attention.• Launch series of direct actions/mass mobilizations• Attend Tariff Commission hearing and submit position paper.

Expected Results and Major ActivitiesResult 2: Legal loopholes in trade related agreements

entered by the government identified and that appropriate legal remedies and/or legal actions are initiated.

• Inventory and review of all trade related legislation and administrative orders for (a) immediate implementation (2) revision or amendment (3) fill in legislation gaps

• Lobby for the ratification by the Senate of all FTAs. (Push for a Law Requiring Senate Concurrence on all Trade Agreements entered into by the executive)

• Research and case building• Filing of legal cases (Declaration of FTAs as treaties [ASEAN FTAs as test

case], Constitutionality of FTAs, Constitutionality of President’s Tariff Setting-powers) (Amendment of Sections 401 and 402 of TCC) (consultation with sectors)

• Initiate meta-legal tactics/actions

Expected Results and Major Activities

Result 3: Establishment of the Philippine Trade Representative Office.

• Expand, strengthen the network in preparation for direct actions/mobilizations

• Lobby for certification of PTRO Bill as urgent• Continuous lobbying• Direct actions/mobilizations• Re-filing of PTRO Bill (look for champions)

Expected Results and Major Activities

Result 4: Ensure that sectoral agenda and positions are considered in the WTO negotiations

• Monitoring of and engagement in the developments and negotiations – Stock taking in March 2010

• Facilitate briefing/debriefing among all stakeholders to consolidate all positions towards WTO Negotiations

Expected Results and Major ActivitiesResult 5: Increased agricultural

support/investment for domestic food production

• Review of Sectoral/Industry Roadmaps• Consensus building per sector/industry

roadmap• Harmonization toward a comprehensive

Roadmap through partnership building and continuing relationship

• Convenor/Secretariat - Nomination is open (E-Group Process)- Nominated: FTA, IDEALS,

• Committees (Enlistment through E-Group Process)

• Expansion

• Budget will be allocated to dialogue/forum, direct action and mobilization, and legal actions.

Thank You