Politics · Canada · 8 hrs ago
Canada and the Philippines expected to announce a free-trade deal
Canada and the Philippines are expected to announce a free-trade deal during Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit to Manila this week.
The announcement is expected at a meeting of regional leaders hosted by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
The deal would cap a period of growing ties, with Canada expanding its diplomatic presence in the Philippines under its Indo-Pacific strategy.
Manila is now Canada’s second-largest diplomatic mission by staff, with about 300 positions.
Canada also shares satellite data that helps the Philippines track illegal fishing vessels and monitor activity in disputed waters.
The Philippines’ location near contested South China Sea waters makes it strategically important to Canada’s regional role.
The sources say the trade talks are expected to be wrapped up, but do not give details of the deal or what happens after the announcement.
Canada and the Philippines are expected to announce that they have concluded talks on a free-trade deal during Mark Carney’s visit to Manila this week.
A source familiar with the matter told The Globe and Mail about the expected announcement but was not authorized to discuss the deal publicly.
Carney is travelling to the Philippines for a summit of regional leaders.
Canada’s diplomatic mission in Manila has grown to about 300 positions, making it the country’s second-largest mission by number of people.
The two countries’ co-operation includes Canada sharing satellite data to help the Philippines identify illegal fishing craft.
- Who
- Canada and the Philippines; Prime Minister Mark Carney is visiting the Philippines.
- What
- The countries are expected to announce they have concluded talks on a free-trade deal.
- When
- This week, during Carney’s visit.
- Where
- Manila, Philippines, at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations meeting.
- Why
- Not stated
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Canada launched its Indo-Pacific strategy, intended to give the country a bigger and more durable role in the region.
Canada opened the Indo-Pacific Agriculture and Agri-Food Office at its embassy in Manila.
Prime Minister Mark Carney greeted Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Vancouver.
Carney is expected to visit Manila for a summit of regional leaders, where the countries are expected to announce they have concluded trade talks.
- Expected announcement
- Canada and the Philippines are expected to announce the conclusion of free-trade talks
- Canadian mission in Manila
- About 300 positions
- Mission size
- Second-largest Canadian diplomatic mission globally by number of people
- Regional meeting
- Association of Southeast Asian Nations meeting in Manila
- Agriculture office
- Opened at the Canadian embassy in Manila in 2024