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The Philippines and Canada held the first round of negotiations for a free trade agreement on February 18-20
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Negotiating teams from the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry and Global Affairs Canada started text-based and conceptual discussions across key areas of the FTA
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The discussions were guided by progress achieved in the ongoing ASEAN-Canada FTA negotiations
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DTI undersecretary for International Trade Allan Gepty said the FTA would be a “milestone in our overall trade and investment relations as this will be our first FTA in the North American region”
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Canada-Philippines merchandise trade in 2024 totaled $3.1 billion with merchandise exports to the Philippines valued at $1.4 billion, while imports from the Philippines amounted to $1.7 billion
The Philippines and Canada concluded the first round of negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) February 18-21, according to the Department of Trade and Industry-Bureau of International Trade Relations (DTI-BITR).
Negotiating teams from the DTI and Global Affairs Canada (GAC) started the text-based and conceptual discussions across key areas of the FTA.
The discussions were guided by progress achieved in the ongoing Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-Canada FTA negotiations, BITR said in a statement.
The Philippines is a member of ASEAN while GAC is responsible for Canada’s foreign policy and all matters relating to external affairs, including international trade and commerce.
BITR said the inaugural round “marks a significant milestone toward strengthening bilateral ties and advancing a meaningful, mutually beneficial, and forward-looking free trade agreement through enhanced market access, increased investment flows, and stronger economic cooperation between the two countries.”
DTI undersecretary for International Trade Allan Gepty said the FTA would be a “milestone in our overall trade and investment relations as this will be our first FTA in the North American region.”
The launch of bilateral FTA negotiations between the Philippines and Canada was endorsed during the Leaders’ Meeting between President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. and Prime Minister Mark Carney in October 2025.
Prior to that, the two countries in December 2024 announced exploratory discussions for a potential bilateral FTA. An initial exploratory discussion took place in 2015.
On November 5, 2025, the Government of Canada submitted to Parliament a Notice of Intent to enter into these negotiations, in accordance with the amended Policy on Tabling Treaties in Parliament.
Ambassador of Canada to the Philippines David Hartman earlier said negotiations are on track to be concluded this year as advanced discussions as co-participants in the Canada-ASEAN FTA “have accelerated our ability to conclude on an expedited basis.”
According to GAC, the Canada-Philippines bilateral merchandise trade in 2024 totaled $3.1 billion with merchandise exports to the Philippines valued at $1.4 billion, while imports from the Philippines amounted to $1.7 billion.
Top exports to the Philippines include mineral ores, meat, cereals, wood, machinery, electronics, fertilizers, and aircraft & parts. Top imports from the Philippines, meanwhile, include electronics, machinery, animal and vegetable oils, leather and rubber products, scientific instruments, and preparations of vegetables.
In 2023, Canadian investment in the Philippines was valued at $983 million and Philippines investment in Canada was valued at $58 million. People-to-people links also continue to grow between Canada and the Philippines, with about a million Canadians of Filipino descent living across Canada, including in remote areas. The Philippines is a top source of immigrants including international students, as well as healthcare and agricultural workers for Canada.
