THE Philippines and Canada are hoping to finalize text-based negotiations in the fourth round of talks on their proposed free trade agreement (FTA) in September, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said.
“In terms of progress we achieved, it’s very substantive. So, I can say that we’re still on track,” Trade Undersecretary Allan B. Gepty told reporters on the sidelines of an event on Monday.
He noted that both countries are on track to close negotiations for the FTA within the year. Mr. Gepty has said they are hoping to finish FTA talks by November.
The fourth round of negotiations will be held in Ottawa.
While he did not provide further details, Mr. Gepty noted that both sides were able to close some chapters of the trade pact during the third round of FTA talks in July.
Once signed, the Canada FTA would be the Philippines first trade pact with a North American country.
Canada was the Philippines’ 16th largest trading partner in 2025, with bilateral trade hitting $2.15 billion.
Last year, Philippine exports to Canada amounted to $1.31 billion, while its imports were valued at $840 million.
In their recent meeting in Vancouver, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney committed to bolster trade ties.
Mr. Carney noted that the Philippines-Canada FTA will serve as “the foundation of our new Canada-Philippines strategic partnership,” noting a goal to triple bilateral trade by 2035. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz
