PH wants to stabilize Canada FTA text by Sept.

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines aims to finalize the proposed free trade agreement (FTA) with Canada by September and complete it this year.

Trade Undersecretary Allan Gepty called the third round in Ottawa “very successful.”

READ: Marcos cites deeper ties after Canada visit

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“In terms of the progress that we have achieved, it was very substantive. I can say that we’re still on track,” Gepty said.“We’re hoping that by the fourth round, we can stabilize the text.”

Negotiators launched talks in February and have completed several chapters. Early discussions covered goods access, services, business mobility, investment, intellectual property, and legal provisions, including anti-corruption.

The fourth round in September in Canada will finalize remaining text and resolve market access issues.

The Department of Trade and Industry targets completion this year, alongside EU FTA talks and the Japan agreement review.

“Our target is really this year, so we’ll work doubly hard,” Gepty said.

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Still, talks will gain momentum after Manila and Ottawa elevated ties during President Marcos’ July meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney.

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In 2025, Canada ranked as the Philippines’ 18th export market, importing $1.31 billion, or 1.5 percent of exports.

Bilateral trade reached $2.15 billion, making Canada the 16th-largest trading partner. The deal would expand market access and mark the Philippines’ first bilateral FTA with a North American country. /pai INQ