Canada, Philippines conclude negotiations for free-trade agreement, aiming for 2027
Canada and the Philippines have concluded negotiations for a free-trade agreement, with a formal signing expected in 2027. The deal is part of Canada's broader strategy to expand economic ties within the ASEAN region.
Why it matters
This agreement represents a significant shift in Canada's trade policy, aiming to diversify exports away from the U.S. market and strengthen Indo-Pacific relations.
Prime Minister Mark Carney and his Philippine counterpart have concluded talks for a free-trade agreement, which is expected to be formally signed next year.
“A ship that stays in the harbour is safe, but that’s not what a ship is for. And it takes a leader to take the ship out of the harbour into choppy waters and reach a destination,” Carney told Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Manila.
“In terms of our relationship, you’ve been able to do that.”
Carney and Marcos were meeting on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit.
Both leaders signed a document that formally ends negotiations for the Philippines-Canada Free Trade Agreement, which had started just over a year ago. Ottawa aims to have the actual deal signed next year.
The event took place Saturday in Manila’s time zone, which was Friday evening in Canada.
Also covering this story
One other newsroom covered this event. We read that version too.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in