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The Philippines is currently pursuing 20 free trade agreements
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Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque said the Marcos administration is aiming to put in place the highest number of FTAs in the country’s history
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FTA are seen to expand global market access for Filipino exporters and improve the country’s competitiveness
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Over 70% of Philippine exports already go to partner markets covered by FTAs, according to DTI
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Roque made the announcement during the ASEAN Business Environment Forum 2026
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Ongoing negotiations include FTAs with the European Union, Canada, and Chile
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The government expects to conclude the EU FTA by mid-2026 and sign it next year
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said the government is working to secure 20 free trade agreements (FTAs) to expand overseas markets for Filipino businesses.
Speaking at the ASEAN Business Environment Forum 2026 on March 11, Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque said the Philippines aims to complete negotiations for the agreements by the end of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr’s term, which would represent the largest number of FTAs secured by any Philippine administration.
“(A)ll agencies are moving in one direction to improve doing business in the country. Central to this is our aggressive pursuit of the free trade agreement. This administration will have the most free trade agreements in the (country’s) history,” Roque said in her opening remarks at the event held ahead of the ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Retreat.
The DTI, in partnership with the Asian Development Bank, organized the forum as a platform for ministers, senior government officials, and business leaders of the 11-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to exchange ideas and promote a more open and competitive business environment across the region.
Roque said the country is currently negotiating trade deals with several partners, including the European Union, Canada, and Chile.
She added that negotiations for the EU-Philippines FTA are expected to conclude by June or July this year, with the agreement targeted for signing next year.
READ: PEZA upbeat on more European investors post PH-EU trade deal
Meanwhile, trade agreements with Chile and Canada are also being finalized and are expected to be signed this year and next year, respectively.
READ: PH, Canada wrap up 1st round of bilateral free trade talks
“For the business community, these FTAs are our competitive edge. More than 70 percent of our exports now reach partner markets through these agreements, allowing Filipino products to enter international markets,” Roque said.
“We have to remember that one country is not the market. The market is the world. So, we must find ways to compete globally,” she added.
READ: PH formally applies to join Trans-Pacific free trade agreement
