Kerry thanks PH business leaders

UNITED STATES Secretary of State John Kerry met with Philippine and local U.S. business leaders in Manila on December 17, thanking the private sector for its work in the wake of typhoon Yolanda (international name Haiyan), welcoming the prospect of the Philippines’ joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade talks, and discussing how to advance the U.S.-Philippine economic relationship.

American Chamber of Commerce President Rhicke Jennings welcomed the secretary to the gathering of top Philippine and local American business leaders.

Kerry began by thanking the business leaders for their efforts in saving lives and bringing relief to victims of typhoon Yolanda. In the days after the storm, he noted, local U.S. and Philippine companies such as Coca-Cola, Dow, FedEx, Procter & Gamble, and Citibank made vital contributions of relief supplies, and the business community continues to engage in initiatives to boost the local economy and provide livelihood to families affected by the disaster.

“We’re really grateful for those kinds of efforts. That is great corporate citizenship, global citizenship, and we’re proud that the United States of America and American citizens that aren’t corporations reached out with not just their hearts and their words, but with their actions,” said Kerry.

Kerry remarked that the Philippines had one of the fastest-growing economies in the world in the first half of the year. With the U.S. and Philippine economic partnership, he said, “we can ensure that the Philippines continues in that direction in spite of everything that the nation has endured and lost over the course of the last months.”

Kerry emphasized the importance of good trade relations, which will be furthered by the TPP. The Philippines, he said, has a “winning combination” for economic success: “free markets and free people and a free marketplace of ideas.”

Kerry then continued his trip, meeting with Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alberto del Rosario and President Benigno S. Aquino III before traveling to Tacloban on December 18 to witness relief efforts first-hand.

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