MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines has formally informed the United States Trade Representative (USTR) of its intention to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA), an aggressive free trade deal among a few countries that seeks not only to open up trade but also the country’s highly protected services sector.

September 23, 1762. British invasion of Manila.

The British invaded and occupied Manila until March 1764, when the Seven-Year War in Europe ended with the signing of the Treaty of Paris. The treaty compelled the British to return Manila and its environs to Spain.