Next round of EU FTA talks in Manila next month

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said the next round of talks for a free trade agreement (FTA) with the European Union (EU) will take place in Manila in May.

On the sidelines of an event last week, Trade Undersecretary Allan B. Gepty said the Philippines is on track to complete negotiations for an EU FTA this year.

“Our next round will be May 18 to 22, here in Manila,” he told reporters. “I hope this will be the last round.”

Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina A. Roque has said that negotiations for the Philippine-EU FTA could finish by June or July, with signing expected in 2027.

The Philippine-EU FTA is being pursued to help mitigate trade disruptions caused by US tariff uncertainty, with supply chains also disrupted by the Persian Gulf war.

The Philippines could potentially access additional exports of about $12 billion once the EU FTA is finalized, the DTI said in March.

The EU has said it seeks to conclude FTA talks with Philippines before the Philippine eligibility for the Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) expires in 2027.

The GSP+ scheme allows between 6,000 and 7,000 Philippine goods to enter the EU tariff-free until 2027.

The Philippines is also pursuing bilateral FTAs with Chile and Canada.

“On the Chile FTA, we are just finalizing a few remaining issues,” Mr. Gepty said. “Our last full round was in December.”

The Philippine-Chile Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, set to be the Philippines’ first FTA in Latin America, could create up to $9 million in trade gains, the DTI said.

Mr. Gepty has said that the Philippines is expected to finalize the text for its FTA with Canada in July, with talks due to finish within the year. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz