December 16, 2024 - Canada and the Philippines launched exploratory talks in Manila for a potential free trade agreement between the two countries.
On December 5, Canada’s Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade, and Economic Development, Mary Ng, and the Philippines’ Secretary of Trade and Industry, Ma. Cristina Aldeguer-Roque, met and announced the agreement to deepen bilateral trade policy engagement through the launch of exploratory discussions for possible negotiations towards a comprehensive Canada-Philippines free trade agreement.
Ng and Aldeguer-Roque reaffirmed the continued commitment of Canada and the Philippines to supporting a strong, rules-based international trading system that upholds values of fair and inclusive trade, promoting and protecting labour rights and supporting environmental protection. They highlighted the importance of enhancing economic opportunities and benefits for businesses, consumers and workers of both countries by improving market access conditions.
The meeting between the two ministers also reaffirmed their commitment to the conclusion of an ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement (ACAFTA) by the end of 2025.
Both sides aim to meet for a first round of exploratory discussions in the first half of 2025.
The meeting took place as part of Team Canada’s Trade Mission (TCTM) to the Philippines. Prior to the launch, Ng met with Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to discuss how the two countries can work together toward long-term partnerships to expand trade and investment.
The TCTM to the Philippines also celebrated 75 years of the two countries’ diplomatic relations as well as the opening of a new Export Development Canada office in Manila to assist Canadian companies based in the Philippines and new direct flights by Air Canada between Vancouver and Manila that aims to help create more connections and opportunities to grow both economies, boost tourism and generate shared prosperity.
In 2023 alone, Canada and the Philippines recorded a $3.4 billion two-way trade.
About the Author
Rachel Ramos-Reid started writing for magazines and newspapers when she was still a junior at the University of the Philippines’ Communication degree program majoring in Journalism. She continued to write in a public relations/corporate communications capacity in various private and government offices until moving out of the country in 1997 to work as Programme Officer for the arts and culture branch of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO-SPAFA) in Bangkok, Thailand. At the end of her term, Rachel found herself immigrating to Canada in the year 2000 and again searching for new beginnings. Currently she is the Executive Assistant to a small rural college on Vancouver Island.
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