Thai state officials and businessmen are begging the Philippine government to suspend its plan to lift concessions on Thailand-made imports as a retaliation to Bangkok’s noncompliance with the ruling on their cigarette dispute.
In a public hearing before the Tariff Commission on Wednesday, Thai trade executives, as well as exporters, pleaded with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to terminate the proceedings for the suspension of concessions on Thai imports. They said the DTI must let the World Trade Organization (WTO) decide on the matter.
In response, Angelo M. Benedictos, assistant director at the DTI’s Bureau of International Trade Relations, said the Thai stakeholders should also demand their leaders to implement the WTO decision on the cigarette dispute and comply with the provisions stated under it.
He said the cigarette case between the Philippines and…
