Economic Privileges as Hostage: How it could Push Countries Toward China

[abhiseshakana]

Duterte has been abiding, but I don't think that he should be pressured this way, this is already economic sanctions in paper, and EU and US are only imposing it rouge nations, so Philippines is not consider to be an enemy of EU?

And why would they forced another sovereign nation to follow their rules? I think there's more to it, perhaps they just want Duterte to be ousted and some Filipinos outside of the country are conniving to get him out of the government. Just look at how they shutdown those oligarchs in the country, like this

(https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/10/world/asia/philippines-congress-media-duterte-abs-cbn.html).

So "war on drugs" and now "freedom of speech" crackdowns. Someone needs to do something about the Duterte adminstration, whether it is a country, group of individuals, specially outside the Philippines. But the thing is that he still has the support of the Filipinos and with this move, they drove off the Philippines to look for countries like it's neighbouring China.

Since 2018, Duterte has drawn closer to China and Duterte has realized that China's presence in the Asian region is more important and must be considered than the presence of the United States. Although there was a tug of war between the Philippines and America regarding the Philippines 'support for the United States' military maneuvers in the South China Sea, in the end Duterte decided to side with China and not join the American and Australian military alliance.

This shows that the dynamics of Xi and Duterte's relationship have ups and downs, it's just that for the Philippines which is arguing with China over territorial claims in the South China Sea, China's military intimidation is more frightening than America's, besides Xi's support for Duterte to overcome protesters who criticize regional policies. Duterte, who is pro-China, has made the Philippines even less inclined. There is no free lunch.

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[Yogee]

Prior to this, the EU demands the Philippine Government to drop the charges against Maria Ressa and Reynaldo Santos Jr., who are both connected to the Rappler, which is the same article shared in the post. Apparently, a private citizen filed a case against the two for a malicious article they published against this private citizen and the Philippine court found them both guilty.
- https://www.cbsnews.com/news/maria-ressa-european-parliament-urges-philippines-drop-charges-rappler-ceo/
(I think this article is one sided too.)

Philippine Government remained strong and even dared the EU to just do it.
- https://www.manilatimes.net/2020/09/19/business/business-top/palace-to-eu-go-ahead-revoke-gsp-perks/769519/
(In this article, EU also called on the release of a senator who is currently detained for drug charges.)

EU is imposing their will to an INDEPENDENT developing country by taking down previously agreed trade agreements. That's just fucked up man. If that isn't coercion and power trip, then I don't know what is. I also see this as a political move.

......

Looking at the data on Philippine exports, I can see why the Philippine Government remained firm. Not many member countries of EU are in the top export partners. For sure the removal of tariff privileges will sting a bit on the Philippine economy but I don't think it's that significant to bring the country down. They can have new deals with its top Asian trading partners or with other emerging neighbors.

EXPORTS

Top countries:


Economic bloc:

- http://www.psa.gov.ph/content/highlights-philippine-export-and-import-statistics-january-2020

.......

I think it's relevant to see data on Philippine Importations too. It's only logical for the Philippine Government to retaliate against EU member countries.

IMPORTS

[Hallmader]

Because who says the world is already past the colonization era? The colonization has just shifted into other forms but still colonization, imposition of other people's standards on other countries which are different culturally and traditionally. They want others to dance their tune or else they won't give them the economic privileges they badly need. This is what happens to the Philippines. They cannot be independent because they are a poor country. 

[Yaunfitda]

I don't think that Duterte is either pro-Chinese or pro-US though, what he is doing is just playing his cards right. Well, there could be arguments that his war or drugs is state sponsored and that's why EU and the rest of the world believed. But up to know, there is still proliferation of drugs in the Philippines and I will say that the battle will be ongoing and so is the economic hostage being used by UE. And I doubt that he himself will buckle down to this kind of pressures. He has strong willed, politically and doesn't back down. He attacks Trump, the Pope, the wealthy and the rich in the Philippines. So probably he will go to the Chinese because of this act of economic sabotage and I'm sure he still has the backing of the US government though,

https://rappler.com/nation/duterte-grants-absolute-pardon-us-marine-pemberton

I'm sure something is in the 'works', it was reported that the Philippines will get access to Covid-19 vaccine, although it has been denied by the government,

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1334186/for-covid-19-vaccines-locsin-says-no-exchange-for-pemberton-pardon

[CryptopreneurBrainboss]

China already made so much money that they could just invest that into other nations and get money that way,

This isn't a probability anymore because that's exactly what the Chinese government are doing. Their presence can be felt in most countries in africa, they're responsible for most development ongoing in that region. China knows there's lots of untapped opportunity in africa and are doing everything humanly possible to dominate.

Credit has to be given when something is been done right, the Chinese government's are improving alot of counties economy and if that means they're building an army for themselves that's not much of a problem provided they're not forcing it on the countries.

[Vishnu.Reang]

This isn't a probability anymore because that's exactly what the Chinese government are doing. Their presence can be felt in most countries in africa, they're responsible for most development ongoing in that region. China knows there's lots of untapped opportunity in africa and are doing everything humanly possible to dominate.

Credit has to be given when something is been done right, the Chinese government's are improving alot of counties economy and if that means they're building an army for themselves that's not much of a problem provided they're not forcing it on the countries.

For the next 2-3 decades, if you want the maximum returns, then you should invest in Africa. It was China during the 1990s and the first decade of 2000. And then it was developing markets such as India and Brazil during the last decade. But now all these markets are saturated and it's Africa's turn. Many of the African countries will witness steep economic growth in the next few decades. The Chinese are aware of this, and that's why they are investing there.

[Bttzed03]

Pres. Duterte has had his sights set on China and his pivot away from the USA when he assumed office. He was probably preparing for something like this to happen and he knows Asian neighbors like China and long-time 'friend' Japan will continue to respect the country's jurisdiction unlike those of "human rights countries" who are still acting as big brother. Yes, there has been territorial disputes among Asian neighbors but that's another matter of discussion.

This "setback" is minor but will have a bigger impact because of the pandemic. I think he and his economic team was able to establish a strong foundation in the four years of his Presidency. The Government will continue as usual with the projects laid out already and form new partnerships with other countries willing to trade building stronger ties in the process.

EU might be bigger right now but Asia is growing fast. In the next few years, Asia could surpass EU.
 

~
When Duterte was still campaigning for the presidency, and even when he was still a local chief executive with no dreams whatsoever of making it to national politics, he was already very transparent of his strong stance against drugs. And yet, on this very same platform and with his track record against drugs, he, the dark-horse candidate, was able to secure a landslide victory as president.

4 years within his term and with what others would call as violent and dirty drug war, he is still enjoying high approval, trust, and satisfaction ratings among his people.

Could it be that the man's defiant and very vocal attitude, often cursing and using words as rough and unstatesmanlike as stupid, son of a bitch, and so on against prominent western leaders, is the reason for being economically punished by international communities? Could it be that his strong independent policies often laced with anti-western pronouncements are really the reason why he is being so disliked among western leaders?

Are the same economic penalties meted on countries with similar, yet relatively more quiet, strong stance against illegal drugs? The neighboring Indonesia's Jokowi, for example, has even executed a number of foreign nationals in the name of the same drug war.

Yeah he had multiple run ins with human rights groups way before he became known on a National level. I didn't know him and how he transformed his city into a what it is today - top class - until months prior to the 2016 Presidential election.

The Man has a poor image internationally and he pretty much said he doesn't give a damn since day 1 of his Presidency. There are definitely forces at work that's tarnishing the image of Pres. Duterte. If I'm not mistaken, it all started with a drug war report from Rappler. That news has long been debunked though. At first, she told everyone that the data came from the PNP themselves but later retracted that they're from a different source.but despite that, Ressa (Rappler's CEO) and the people behind her kept on inflating the numbers - Ressa, Coronel and Rappler concocted false ‘27,000 killed’ number in anti-drug war.   

I don't know what the President's PR team (if he had any) are actually doing about this but perhaps the President himself instructed them to focus on communicating with the locals. The feel I get is that he wanted to talk and sit down with locals from far areas and let them know the Government is here to help. The President might have thought it's the best way to stop the NPA terrorists from fooling and recruiting them.

[Rosilito]

-
Could it be that the man's defiant and very vocal attitude, often cursing and using words as rough and unstatesmanlike as stupid, son of a bitch, and so on against prominent western leaders, is the reason for being economically punished by international communities? Could it be that his strong independent policies often laced with anti-western pronouncements are really the reason why he is being so disliked among western leaders?

It seems to be the reason, by the looks of it. Besides, I see no sense of urgency from the administration to withdraw with their bloody fight, or let's say patching up the issue at hand. What's worse is that, they even fanned those flames with this seemingly unyielding-attitude. Might be because, common Filipinos (exporters, and the likes) is the one who would suffer in this event, and perhaps not them.

Take a look at this:

Malacañang on Friday dared European Union lawmakers to “go ahead” with their push to revoke the Philippines’ tariff perks.

Source: https://globalnation.inquirer.net/190968/go-ahead-palace-dares-eu-to-revoke-phs-tariff-perks-over-human-rights-violations

[abhiseshakana]

For the next 2-3 decades, if you want the maximum returns, then you should invest in Africa. It was China during the 1990s and the first decade of 2000. And then it was developing markets such as India and Brazil during the last decade. But now all these markets are saturated and it's Africa's turn. Many of the African countries will witness steep economic growth in the next few decades. The Chinese are aware of this, and that's why they are investing there.

China indeed imitates what America did in China, therefore, why did China build Africa with the one belt one road program, the geographical proximity of Africa to Europe will accelerate the transportation of production products to Europe which means cost efficiency, besides because the majority of African countries are still classified as third world countries (poor countries) so that they get cut in import duties in many developed countries, which facilitate market penetration.

China is making its own supply chain system. Semi-finished goods are produced and shipped from China to Africa and then finished goods are exported from Africa to Europe. So China won a lot, the manufacturers that supported the OBOR program continued to produce, and the semi-finished material processing industry was also running. What China is doing is imitating, not following America, if it follows America, then China is subject to America and is not sovereign.

[Kemarit]

Duterte has been abiding, but I don't think that he should be pressured this way, this is already economic sanctions in paper, and EU and US are only imposing it rouge nations, so Philippines is not consider to be an enemy of EU?

And why would they forced another sovereign nation to follow their rules? I think there's more to it, perhaps they just want Duterte to be ousted and some Filipinos outside of the country are conniving to get him out of the government. Just look at how they shutdown those oligarchs in the country, like this

(https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/10/world/asia/philippines-congress-media-duterte-abs-cbn.html).

So "war on drugs" and now "freedom of speech" crackdowns. Someone needs to do something about the Duterte adminstration, whether it is a country, group of individuals, specially outside the Philippines. But the thing is that he still has the support of the Filipinos and with this move, they drove off the Philippines to look for countries like it's neighbouring China.

Since 2018, Duterte has drawn closer to China and Duterte has realized that China's presence in the Asian region is more important and must be considered than the presence of the United States. Although there was a tug of war between the Philippines and America regarding the Philippines 'support for the United States' military maneuvers in the South China Sea, in the end Duterte decided to side with China and not join the American and Australian military alliance.

It's not that he decided China, perhaps the Philippines will get more benefit from it instead of having the US on his side. Although this has open up a lot of influx of Chinese in the Philippines specially with the POGO with give the government another extra billions which can help the Duterte administration with their 'build, build' slogan.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/03/10/20/pogos-are-clean-duterte-tells-filipinos

But he is not totally shutting down the US, in fact he just issue a Presidential pardon to one US citizen who has been convicted of killing a Filipina. Which the adminstration received a lot of backlashed from the victims family and the rest of the country.

This shows that the dynamics of Xi and Duterte's relationship have ups and downs, it's just that for the Philippines which is arguing with China over territorial claims in the South China Sea, China's military intimidation is more frightening than America's, besides Xi's support for Duterte to overcome protesters who criticize regional policies. Duterte, who is pro-China, has made the Philippines even less inclined. There is no free lunch.

Still volatile though, and I agree that it's not as close as we think. They still have the West Philippine Sea issue to settle down and I would say that the Philippine is still divided in the case. Majority wanted to reclaim our rights, but others say that it will lead to a China war wherein we don't have any chances. And if the latter is the case, who is going to be on the side of the Philippines, it will be the US.

[Wexnident]

EU is imposing their will to an INDEPENDENT developing country by taking down previously agreed trade agreements. That's just fucked up man. If that isn't coercion and power trip, then I don't know what is. I also see this as a political move.

Based on what I know, they had a prior agreement based on the attributes a trading partner must have, plus, there was already a warning made back then in 2017 about EU removing their GSP rights, so it isn't really that odd that they removed it now after 3 years, seeing as there's no improvement on the attitude of President Duterte. You can see this in the links provided by OP.

This is basically a fight between the humanitarian side (EU) and Duterte with the realistic side, with the former holding the economic privileges of the latter as a hostage, which is, in one way or another, pretty stupid. I can't agree with how Duterte did the Drug war, a lot of casualties were made yes, but you can't' disagree that his actions did indeed help remove drugs from the country.

It seems to be the reason, by the looks of it. Besides, I see no sense of urgency from the administration to withdraw with their bloody fight, or let's say patching up the issue at hand. What's worse is that, they even fanned those flames with this seemingly unyielding-attitude. Might be because, common Filipinos (exporters, and the likes) is the one who would suffer in this event, and perhaps not them.

Duterte would inevitably be damaged by this no matter what, it is the economic privilege of the country his reign is in after all. EU does account for the 4th biggest trading partner the PH has, but as for the numbers I'm not particularly sure. If China would support PH with trading at this point and possibly fill the void, then Duterte can basically skim over this issue and possibly live on with his unyielding attitude regarding the issue.

[bryant.coleman]

Duterte would inevitably be damaged by this no matter what, it is the economic privilege of the country his reign is in after all. EU does account for the 4th biggest trading partner the PH has, but as for the numbers I'm not particularly sure. If China would support PH with trading at this point and possibly fill the void, then Duterte can basically skim over this issue and possibly live on with his unyielding attitude regarding the issue.

I don't know how much Duterte can trust China. If the spat with EU goes out of control, then Philippines may become over dependent on China. And the Chinese are experts in exploiting such situations. And now let's not forget the fact that China is locked in a decades-long territorial dispute with the Philippines, over the Scarborough Shoal and some of the other islets in South China Sea.

[abhiseshakana]

Still volatile though, and I agree that it's not as close as we think. They still have the West Philippine Sea issue to settle down and I would say that the Philippine is still divided in the case. Majority wanted to reclaim our rights, but others say that it will lead to a China war wherein we don't have any chances. And if the latter is the case, who is going to be on the side of the Philippines, it will be the US.

The arms war between the Philippines and China will not happen in the near future because China's strategy is to minimize America's presence in Asia, even the American maneuvers in the South China Sea are ignored by China. If China starts combat, there is the legitimacy for America's presence in the South China Sea which will dissolve the regional design that China has been drafting so far. China does not want to be ashamed and loses face, because in fact, America's military power is greater than China, besides that the Chinese army has no experience in fighting. China's control around the South China Sea will not be through violence but rather through soft diplomacy with the diaspora and approaches through lobbying with oligarchs so that many government policies of a country will be pro-China.

The cost of Chinese diplomacy will remain cheap because it only needs to prepare facilitation payments to lobby government officials of a country, while the investment can follow the OBOR protocol.

[Mauser]

The arms war between the Philippines and China will not happen in the near future because China's strategy is to minimize America's presence in Asia, even the American maneuvers in the South China Sea are ignored by China. If China starts combat, there is the legitimacy for America's presence in the South China Sea which will dissolve the regional design that China has been drafting so far. China does not want to be ashamed and loses face, because in fact, America's military power is greater than China, besides that the Chinese army has no experience in fighting. China's control around the South China Sea will not be through violence but rather through soft diplomacy with the diaspora and approaches through lobbying with oligarchs so that many government policies of a country will be pro-China.

The cost of Chinese diplomacy will remain cheap because it only needs to prepare facilitation payments to lobby government officials of a country, while the investment can follow the OBOR protocol.

I think America is just the general term for all Western countries. China is trying to influence in conflict with most western countries. The Chinese strategy is to minimise American influence all around the world, not only Pacific. As America was the last super power. For example, China his heavily investing in Africa and also south America. I think China wants to be a super power themselves nd for that they are trying to secure high commodity countries all around the world. Chinese ownership in foreign companies is increasing every year and another way to influence countries.

[Vishnu.Reang]

I think America is just the general term for all Western countries. China is trying to influence in conflict with most western countries. The Chinese strategy is to minimise American influence all around the world, not only Pacific. As America was the last super power. For example, China his heavily investing in Africa and also south America. I think China wants to be a super power themselves nd for that they are trying to secure high commodity countries all around the world. Chinese ownership in foreign companies is increasing every year and another way to influence countries.

A lot of western companies (and even sovereign wealth funds from the western nations) have invested in the Chinese stock market. Chinese companies such as Alibaba do have partial foreign ownership. So what's wrong, if the Chinese investors purchase shares of Western corporations? On the other hand, Americans and Europeans should be concerned about the growing Arab ownership in various Western firms.

[lixer]

Because who says the world is already past the colonization era? The colonization has just shifted into other forms but still colonization, imposition of other people's standards on other countries which are different culturally and traditionally. They want others to dance their tune or else they won't give them the economic privileges they badly need. This is what happens to the Philippines. They cannot be independent because they are a poor country. 

You have a really good point here, they are always trying to enforce their own way of living on other smaller countries.
I think every country should be allowed to do things the way they think is best for them, because before now there has been what’s called tradition and some of them you can’t overlook, and things like that.

Every country knows what’s best for them and should be allowed to follow that, as long it’s not something that’s going to be seen as an oppression on the side of their citizens.

[beerlover]

What people do not understand about sanctions and to try and rule other nations as well with it is the fact that every nation has their own rights to put up sanctions against another nation, if you need them it is your own problem. For example if USA puts up sanctions against China and china sees this as a bad thing but Americans don't care, that means it is a problem for china not for USA.

Same goes for Philippines as well, if you ever think that EU putting up sanctions against you is a way for them to control you, that means you are not strong enough to live yourself and you need EU to continue, which is by nature is wrong and you should fix that. Nobody should be forced to deal with other nations to be good to begin with, you should be good without them as well, you should be nation that people want to trade, not threaten you with it.

[electronicash]

this is a fake news actually. Its not EU that sanctions this, they can't do this. its just the faction of EU, some douchebag who just suggested to EU to sanction Philippines to its tariff and Filipinos also listen when in fact the law can't allow this. rappler and all the media in the Philippines are all owned by the bastards yellow who thinks they are the ones telling the truth. THIS IS FAKE NEWS.

EU would never do that in times of Crisis. don't listen to this bullshit.

[sheenshane]

this is a fake news actually. Its not EU that sanctions this, they can't do this. its just the faction of EU, some douchebag who just suggested to EU to sanction Philippines to its tariff and Filipinos also listen when in fact the law can't allow this. rappler and all the media in the Philippines are all owned by the bastards yellow who thinks they are the ones telling the truth. THIS IS FAKE NEWS.

EU would never do that in times of Crisis. don't listen to this bullshit.

I tend to agree with you by this statement.
I don't really think the EU has to do something between China and the Philippines. Think first, the Philippines is an independent country. Probably I have doubt that it could be they are just igniting a fire. It seems like the EU is doing something under the table just to be able to be even with their competition. However, China is getting better. To the point that even the EU would create these kinds of penalties.

I'm also not sure why does EU did not investigate further regarding the running admin that the Philippines had. It seems like their puppets has been disconnected from their previous powers and were replace to something that they cannot control, IMO.

[electronicash]

this is a fake news actually. Its not EU that sanctions this, they can't do this. its just the faction of EU, some douchebag who just suggested to EU to sanction Philippines to its tariff and Filipinos also listen when in fact the law can't allow this. rappler and all the media in the Philippines are all owned by the bastards yellow who thinks they are the ones telling the truth. THIS IS FAKE NEWS.

EU would never do that in times of Crisis. don't listen to this bullshit.

I tend to agree with you by this statement.
I don't really think the EU has to do something between China and the Philippines. Think first, the Philippines is an independent country. Probably I have doubt that it could be they are just igniting a fire. It seems like the EU is doing something under the table just to be able to be even with their competition. However, China is getting better. To the point that even the EU would create these kinds of penalties.

I'm also not sure why does EU did not investigate further regarding the running admin that the Philippines had. It seems like their puppets has been disconnected from their previous powers and were replace to something that they cannot control, IMO.

its not related to china however.

its about maria ressa the CEO of rappler.com that spreads lies. She has libel case for spreading lies to an individual in the philippines. now trying to convince Nuemann a MEMBER of European Parliamentary to file a resolution threatening trade sanction against Philippines if the cases against her isn't withdrawn.  its CASES because she also have tax evasion case and more which are proven to be true.

THIS WHY MARIA RESSA spreads this fake NEWS through that RAPPLER.com which is also the publication used for libel.