-
The third round of negotiations for a free trade agreement with the European Union concluded on a high note last month
-
The FTA is considered the most comprehensive trade agreement pursued by the Philippines to date
-
The Department of Trade and Industry said it marked a significant step forward in deepening bilateral trade and investment ties
-
At the sidelines of the third round, the chief negotiators met with BusinessEurope, an organization representing 42 national business federations from 36 countries in the EU, European Economic Area and EU’s neighborhood
The third round of negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) with the European Union (EU) concluded on a high note last month, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said in a statement.
Considered the most comprehensive trade agreement pursued by the Philippines to date, the talks were held in Brussels, Belgium for five days and ended on June 20, 2025. DTI said it marked a significant step forward in deepening bilateral trade and investment ties.
The discussions focused on 19 key areas, namely Trade in Goods, Rules of Origin, Services and Investment, Capital Movements, Payments, Transfers and Temporary Safeguard Measures, Competition Policy, Customs and Trade Facilitation, Digital Trade, Energy and Raw Materials, Government Procurement, Intellectual Property, Mutual Administrative Assistance, Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, State-Owned Enterprises, Sustainable Food Systems, Technical Barriers to Trade, Trade and Sustainable Development, Trade Remedies, and Legal and Institutional.
New areas being negotiated include Government Procurement, Digital Trade, Energy and Raw Materials, and Trade and Sustainable Development.
The negotiations were led by DTI Undersecretary Allan Gepty and Director Dora Correia from the EU’s Directorate General for Trade and Economic Security.
“The meaningful progress achieved in the negotiations thus far is a testament to the constructive spirit and commitment of both negotiating teams to finding mutually agreeable provisions. We will continue with this approach and look forward to commencing market access negotiations by the next round,” said Gepty.
“We remain steadfast in our common vision to conclude this FTA expeditiously, particularly in light of the evolving global trade landscape.”
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to crafting an FTA that not only reflects modern trade priorities but also delivers tangible benefits for businesses, consumers, and stakeholders in both the Philippines and the EU.
At the sidelines of the third round, the chief negotiators met with BusinessEurope, an organization representing 42 national business federations from 36 countries in the EU, European Economic Area and EU’s neighborhood. Led by Deputy Director General Luisa Santos and including members from sectors like spirits, chemicals, defense, and services, the meeting facilitated the exchange of views and interests in the FTA.
In the Philippines, the DTI convenes consultations on the FTA through its “One Country One Voice” platform, held before or after each negotiating round. Lead negotiators from other Philippine government agencies also conduct their own consultations.
The PH-EU FTA is an important element of the Philippine trade agenda and is aligned with the Philippine Development Plan’s (2023-2028) directive to advance purposive, assertive, and forward-looking free trade agreement strategies.
As one of the country’s top trading partners, the FTA with the EU is expected to establish a more predictable and stable trading environment, further enhancing the benefits under the EU GSP+ scheme.
In 2024, total trade between the Philippines and the EU reached $15.5 billion. The EU was the Philippines’ fifth-largest trading partner, representing 7.7% of the country’s total trade. Philippine exports to the EU amounted to $8.1 billion, while imports from the EU were $7.5 billion. Moreover, the country’s utilization of the EU’s Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus reached a record rate of 80.3% in 2024.
The next round of FTA negotiations will take place in the Philippines in October 2025.
