Canada and the Philippines have finished negotiations for a free-trade agreement that is expected to be officially signed in 2027.
Prime Minister Mark Carney is meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Manila during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit.
The two leaders are overseeing the signing of a document that officially ends negotiations for the Philippines-Canada Free Trade Agreement. Talks for the deal began just over a year ago.
Carney restarted trade discussions with the Philippines last October. Canada first began formally exploring a trade agreement with the country in 2015.
During consultations, businesses largely supported the deal, saying it could help increase trade between the two countries. However, some civil society groups raised concerns about the Philippines’ record on environmental protection, workers’ rights and human rights.
Canada is also working toward a larger trade agreement with the ASEAN bloc, which includes the Philippines and 10 other countries, including Thailand.
