THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said it is working to iron out agriculture-related issues in its proposed free trade agreements (FTAs) with Chile and the European Union (EU), with talks for both deals targeted for completion this year. 

Trade Secretary Maria Cristina A. Roque said the Philippines has delayed its projected completion date for FTA negotiations with the EU, which were originally scheduled to conclude by this month.

“We are still ironing it out but we’ve already come up with a compromise on what to do… (the issue) is in the agriculture sector,” she told reporters on the sidelines of the Go Negosyo MSME Summit on July 18.

“There was a bit of a deadlock, but we’re working closely also with the Agriculture Secretary (Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr.) regarding this,” she added.

Ms. Roque said both the EU and the Philippines are keen on finalizing its FTA by this year, with signing planned for next year. 

“We keep on talking, even on my level. Both EU and the Philippines want to conclude it, because it will also be beneficial for them,” she noted.

She added that both sides have resolved an issue related to government procurement, but did not disclose further details. 

The EU was the Philippines’ fifth-largest trading partner in 2025, with bilateral trade hitting $18.10 billion in 2025.

Both sides are looking to finalize the FTA as the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus — which grants over 6,000 Philippine-made goods duty-free entry to the EU — is set to expire in 2027.

Ms. Roque also noted that FTA talks with Chile are ongoing, with both sides also working to resolve an agriculture-related issue.

“We still have some areas to (address,)” she said. “The negotiations are on the level of ministers, who want it to be done.”

In 2025, exports of Philippine products to Chile were valued at $45.4 million, while imports amounted to $115 million. 

The Chile and EU FTAs form part of the Philippines’ push to boost trade ties with other markets, as geopolitical headwinds disrupt global trade. 

Source: BWorldOnline

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