Trade Secretary Cristina Roque announced on Wednesday that the Philippines is on track to finalize an unprecedented 20 free trade agreements (FTAs) by the end of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s term, marking the most aggressive trade expansion in the nation’s history.
Speaking at the ASEAN Business Environment Forum (ABEF) 2026 at Ascott Bonifacio Global City, Secretary Roque credited the President’s “all-of-government” approach for streamlining business operations and opening global doors for Filipino entrepreneurs.
“Under the direction of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., all agencies are moving in one direction to improve doing business in the country,” Roque stated. “This administration will have the most free trade agreements in the country’s history. This is a priority for our President to ensure we are on an equal playing field in the global market.”
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) highlighted that these agreements are essential for the country’s export sector. Currently, over 70 percent of Philippine exports reach partner markets through existing FTAs, providing a critical competitive edge for local products.
Key updates on pending negotiations include:
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European Union (EU): Negotiations are expected to conclude by June or July 2026, with an official signing targeted for 2027.
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Chile: A trade deal is expected to be finalized and signed within the current year.
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Canada: Negotiations are progressing toward a projected signing in 2027.
The ABEF 2026, organized by the DTI in partnership with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), serves as a precursor to the ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Retreat. The forum provides a platform for regional leaders and the private sector to collaborate on creating a transparent and competitive economic environment.
“We have to remember that one country is not the market. The market is the world,” Roque emphasized, urging Filipino businesses to look beyond domestic borders and leverage these new trade corridors.
By diversifying its trade portfolio to include partners like the EU, Canada, and Chile, the Philippines aims to solidify its position as a high-growth hub for international commerce and strengthen the global competitiveness of the Filipino workforce.
