JAMES LIM ESCALANTE

About

Work Experience

Philippine Embassy | Washington, DC
Agriculture Analyst, Philippine Agriculture Office – Department of Agriculture | March 2023 – Present
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  • Produced 35+ confidential briefing reports, directly guiding agricultural policy decisions.
  • Served as Protocol Officer for the Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs (SAPIEA) during the Philippine presidential visit that successfully negotiated for the reduction of the 20% tariff.
  • Facilitating ongoing discussions with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) by managing technical documentation and position papers required to regain shrimp market access under the ACE Act.
  • Protected $390M of Philippine coconuts exports, advocating with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Coconut Coalition of America (CCA), successfully reclassifying coconut as non-tree nut, removing it as a major allergen, and eliminating critical trade barriers.
  • Defended $120M annual US poultry imports, conducting key data analyses on anti-dumping measures against U.S. chicken leg quarters, supporting tariff exemptions that maintained competitive prices in Philippine markets.
  • Prevented costly litigation in Mexico’s $40M anti-dumping case on Philippine pineapple syrup by preparing critical cost-benefit analyses that persuaded stakeholders to forgo further legal action.
  • Authored strategic expansion report for Philippine Secretary of Agriculture evaluating potential new agriculture offices in Central and South America, recommending actionable insights for Mexico and Brazil.
  • Established and nurtured relationships with USDA officials, Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN partners, and other counterparts, improving market intelligence and strategic cooperation.
  • Facilitated the reopened Philippine market for $4M in U.S. goat exports, working closely with Agriculture Counsellor to reverse import bans related to Q-fever.
  • Represented the Embassy at policy forums (USDA, USTR, DOS), effectively communicating policy positions and promoting Philippine trade interests.
  • Resolved 100+ agricultural trade inquiries, utilizing U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC), FDA databases, USDA Economic Research Service (ERS), and the International Trade Centre (ITC) Data Portal.
US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC) | Washington, DC
Associate, Philippines, Singapore, Customs/Trade Portfolios – Washington, DC Office | April 2022 – February 2023
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  • Produced bi-monthly strategic trade updates for member companies, detailing trade developments in the Philippines and Singapore, driving informed business decisions.
  • Drafted press releases, speeches, and talking points for senior leadership to support high-level dialogues with government and corporate stakeholders.
  • Organized and coordinated roundtables, seminars, and international business missions, directly facilitating dialogue between executive members and ASEAN government officials.
  • Delivered bi-annual policy updates clearly detailing trade changes across ASEAN, enhancing member preparedness and responsiveness.
  • Managed and developed a team of three interns, assigning strategic tasks, providing feedback, and fostering professional growth.
Center for Research & Engagement, University of St. La Salle | Bacolod, Philippines
Research Assistant, Research & Analysis | August 2019 – September 2021
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  • Supported 20 faculty-led research projects by conducting detailed data analyses, proposal preparations, and facilitating academic panel reviews.
  • Analyzed and processed research data with Excel and SPSS, ensuring accurate insights and facilitating strategic decisions for the university’s business and accountancy departments.
  • Coordinated multi-disciplinary data management across healthcare, agriculture, education, and economics sectors, significantly improving organizational data utilization.

Languages

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  • English (Native)
  • Filipino (Native)
  • Hiligaynon (Native)
  • French (Basic)
  • Japanese (Basic)

Education

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Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
Major: Business Economics & Operations Management
University of St. La Salle, Bacolod, Philippines | Graduated: May 2021

Sakura Science Educational Exchange Program
Tokyo Metropolitan University, Hachioji, Japan | June 2019

Notable Professional Engagements

Philippine Embassy Delegations
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  • World Bank & IMF Spring Meetings | Country Delegate (April 2025)
  • World Bank & IMF Fall Meetings | Country Delegate (October 2024)
  • Department of Agriculture Coconut Roadshow Delegate (September 2024
US-ASEAN Business Council
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  • Dialogue with Philippine President Marcos Jr. (September 2022)
  • Gala with ASEAN Ambassadors, ASEAN Committee Washington (December 2022)
  • U.S.-ASEAN Special Summit, Private Sector Engagement (April 2022)
Leadership, Junior Philippine Economic Society
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  • President (2019-2020): Directed team of 11 officers and 100+ members; represented organization at national and NGO levels.
  • Treasurer (2020-2021): Increased organizational funds by 10%; managed comprehensive financial reporting and university compliance.