Citing China, Philippine officials urge U.S. to 'ramp up' trade

Noting a recent uptick in trade between the Philippines and China, Philippine officials in Washington, DC, this week said the U.S. should increase efforts to trade with Manila. “The total trade value between the Philippines and the U.S. is something like $20 billion.... The corresponding number between China and the Philippines is $50 billion,” Economy Minister Ernesto Pernia told reporters on Thursday. “Our relationship with China is rather recent – that is the surprising part of it. So clearly there’s...