Philippines wants to conclude FTA talks with EU by mid-2026

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines is looking to conclude negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) with the European Union (EU) by the middle of next year, according to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

During the Tariff Commission’s public consultation for the Philippines-EU FTA negotiations yesterday, Lattice Andriano of the DTI Bureau of International Trade Relations said the government hopes to complete the negotiations for the trade deal by “mid-2026.”

Andriano said both parties aim to fast-track the FTA negotiations.

Since the announcement of resumption of FTA talks between the Philippines and the EU in March last year, she said there have been three rounds of negotiations.

In particular, FTA negotiations were held in October last year, as well as in February and June this year.

While the first round of FTA talks was held in 2016 and was followed by another round in 2017, negotiations were suspended due to the EU’s concerns on the Philippines’ war on drugs.

The next round of talks is scheduled on Oct. 20 to 24.

According to Andriano, there is a proposal to hold another round of talks within the year after the October negotiations, but this has not yet been firmed up.

As negotiations are ongoing, Philippine Sugar Millers Association executive director Jesus Barrera said the group wants raw sugar and refined sugar to be excluded from the FTA talks, with some European countries currently producing such.

Through the Philippines-EU FTA, Andriano said the goal is to expand market access, attract greater investments, improve the business environment, enhance competitiveness and uphold commitments in labor and environment.

The Philippines is currently a beneficiary of the EU Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+), which allows duty-free entry of 6,274 products to the bloc.

The Philippines’ EU GSP+ utilization has steadily increased to 80.3 percent in 2024 from 67.2 percent in 2014.