Much has been said about the losses and discontents of developing countries with trade liberalization in the agricultural sector. Limited literature, on the other hand, have discussed on whether how such trade and growth affects the developing countries’ fledging industrial sector. The study generally discussed about the scrap metal and metalware industries but is physically limited to Metro Manila, with Valenzuela the scrap metal and metalware factory hub of the region as its focal point. Heuristic and hermeneutic in nature, this case study employed a cross analytic method to evaluate the validity of research findings. In conclusion, the study reveals that unbridled trade liberalization and the unwitting promotion of the export-oriented growth model have adversely affected the domestic industrial market of the country particularly the metalware industry. On a theoretical note, though Ricardo’s Comparative Advantage Theory may have proven itself beneficial for a nation’s economic development in the past, trade liberalization and export-orientation in the age of global capitalism seemingly repeals the assumption of Ricardo’s theory that capital is immobile. In effect, not only does the capital mobility of transnational and multinational companies harm a developing country’s economy and creates internal social antagonisms. Further, the patrimonial relationship between politicians and businessmen becomes an enduring character of the body politic.
