Philippines, Chile hold FTA discussions
Philstar - 27 July 2025
Philippines, Chile hold FTA discussions
The Philippines and Chile have launched the first round of talks for a free trade agreement (FTA).
Trade Undersecretary Allan Gepty said in a Viber message that he is in Chile for the first round of talks for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
Last December, the Philippines and Chile signed a joint statement for the formal launch of the negotiations for a CEPA.
Once completed, the FTA with Chile will be the Philippines’ first trade deal in Latin America.
For the CEPA, the Philippines and Chile are looking to go beyond trade in goods and services and to cover other areas including intellectual property rights, digital economy, environment, labor and trade and gender.
The Subsecretariat for International Economic Relations of Chile said in a social media post that the agreement is expected to provide opportunities to strengthen ties with the Philippines and synergies in food and critical minerals.
It said the talks represent a significant advancement in the efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation.
It also said the talks support Chile’s efforts to expand its commitment to Southeast Asia.
Earlier, Gepty said the goal is to complete the CEPA negotiations by next year.
Bilateral trade between the Philippines and Chile reached $141.24 million in 2023.
