MANILA — The Philippines and Canada have formally elevated their bilateral relations to a strategic partnership, paving the way for expanded cooperation in trade, defense, energy, labor, tourism, and cultural exchanges following President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s bilateral meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in Vancouver.
The milestone agreement, announced after the leaders’ meeting at the Vancouver Convention Center, also includes the drafting of a comprehensive Plan of Action to guide future cooperation as both countries seek to deepen ties amid evolving global challenges.
“We have tasked our foreign ministers to draw up a Plan of Action to pursue our shared commitment to work together in adapting to shifting global realities, addressing shared challenges, and building capacities for a future-ready partnership,” Marcos said.
Carney welcomed the elevation of bilateral ties, saying ongoing trade negotiations would serve as a cornerstone of the strengthened relationship.
“Together, we are launching a new era of cooperation, deepening our collaboration in trade and energy, defense and tourism,” Carney said.
“We have a prospect of tripling our bilateral trade both directions by 2035, great opportunities for business,” he added.
The Canadian leader also reaffirmed Ottawa’s commitment to concluding negotiations for the Canada-Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Free Trade Agreement during this year’s ASEAN Summit, which the Philippines will host.
“This agreement, once constituted, will reduce tariffs, in some cases fully eliminate them, for our exports, help give Canadian workers and businesses access to a 5 trillion market of over 700 million people,” Carney said.
He added that negotiations for a separate Canada-Philippines Free Trade Agreement were progressing and remained on track for completion this year.
Carney also recognized the significant contributions of the Filipino community in Canada and described the Philippines as one of the world’s fastest-growing economies.
Following the expanded bilateral meeting, the Philippines and Canada signed several cooperation agreements covering energy and natural resources, labor and migration, cultural exchanges, and tourism.
The newly signed agreements are expected to strengthen economic, security, and people-to-people cooperation as both countries begin implementing their newly established strategic partnership./PN
