The Philippines has maintained an economic relations with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) until Foreign Affairs Secretary Allan Peter Cayetano met with the United States Ambassador to the Philippines. According to reports, the Philippines is the third largest trading partner of the "hermit kingdom" in 2017 amounting to US$ 87 million.

The Philippines exports to North Korea bananas, computers, integrated circuit boards and women’s undergarments and imports "iron and steel products, which could put the country in breach of UN resolutions which restrict member states from importing numerous DPRK minerals".

Sabi, the economic trade is a sign of desperation. Possibly. Teka, economic desperation nga nino?