A method for controlling charge flow in an internal combustion engine includes operating an engine having a VGT. The method includes determining a target and current charge flow and EGR flow. The method further includes determining an error term for the charge flow and the EGR flow, and determining an exhaust pressure feedback command in response to the error terms. The exhaust pressure feedback command is combined with an exhaust pressure feedforward command, and the VGT is controlled in response to the exhaust pressure feedback command. The method additionally includes determining the exhaust pressure feedback command in response to a current EGR valve position. The method further includes controlling an EGR flow rate with the EGR valve at relatively closed EGR valve positions, and controlling the EGR flow rate with exhaust pressure at relatively open EGR valve positions.