Philippines-Chile FTA talks seen wrapping up in April
The Philippines is on track to conclude negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) with Chile as early as next month, according to Trade Undersecretary Allan Gepty.
Manila is targeting to complete two other trade deals in 2026.
Gepty said negotiations for a comprehensive economic partnership agreement with Chile are nearing completion. He said only a few remaining items are left to settle during a potential final round in April.
READ: Free trade pact with Chile seen inked by 2026
“We’re almost there,” he told reporters last week. “We hope to conclude the negotiations hopefully by next month.”
Gepty declined to disclose the specific issues still under discussion. But he noted that there are no major roadblocks to reaching an agreement.
“I would say that there is no major issue that can hinder the conclusion,” he said.
Philippine exports to Chile amounted to $43.3 million in 2024, while imports reached $290.8 million.
Once finalized, the proposed FTA will mark the Philippines’ first with a Latin American country.
At the same time, the Philippines is also advancing negotiations with other trading partners.
Gepty said talks on a proposed free trade pact with the European Union remain on track. Negotiators are aiming to conclude discussions by June.
The next round of negotiations is scheduled for May 18 to May 22 in the Philippines. Gepty said that could be the final round.
Among the Philippines’ priorities in the EU talks is securing more liberal rules of origin for local producers, including garments.
“We would like to push for liberal rules when it comes to rules of origin so that we can maximize the preferential market access that we can gain in this FTA,” Gepty said.
Negotiations with Canada are also moving forward following the first round of talks, which concluded in February.
The next round is scheduled in April, where negotiators are expected to begin detailed text-based discussions across all chapters of the agreement. —Logan Kal-El M. Zapanta INQ
