The Philippines and Canada are set to hold the next round of negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) in September following last week’s productive talks, according to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

DTI Undersecretary Allan Gepty told reporters last Monday, Aug. 3, that the Philippines and Canada had a “very successful” round of negotiations in Ottawa, the Canadian capital, last week.

“In terms of progress that was achieved, it was very substantive. So, I can say that we’re still on track,” he said.

Gepty said several chapters of the FTA were finalized during the latest round. The talks also focused largely on market access for trade in goods.

Since negotiations for the trade pact were launched in October last year, the Philippines and Canada have completed three rounds of talks.

The first negotiating round was held in February this year in Pasay City, followed by the second round in April in Mandaluyong City.

Like the third round, the next round of negotiations in September will also be held in Ottawa.

Gepty said he is hopeful that the Philippines and Canada can finalize all text-based negotiations and market access commitments during the fourth round.

Asked whether the next round of talks would be the last, Gepty said it would still depend on the progress made in the remaining chapters of the FTA. Still, he said the target remains to conclude negotiations within the year.

During a public consultation last month, Gepty said the government would do its best to conclude negotiations with Canada in November.

Once signed, the FTA with Canada will be the Philippines’ first with a North American country.

DTI data showed that bilateral merchandise trade between the two countries reached $2.15 billion in 2025, with Canada ranking as the Philippines’ 16th-largest trading partner among 229 economies.

Philippine exports to Canada reached $1.31 billion last year, led by unrefined copper, copper anodes, and ignition wiring sets.

Imports from Canada totaled $840 million, consisting mainly of wheat, meslin, wood, and copper ores and concentrates.

Gepty said the trade surplus demonstrates that there are still many opportunities for Philippine exporters to expand their presence in the Canadian market through improved market access under the FTA.

In addition, the DTI official said the trade pact could also help attract new investments into the country.

Data from the Canadian Embassy showed that Canadian investment in the Philippines reached $1.7 billion last year, while Philippine investment in Canada stood at $51 million.