Canada, Philippines Launch Strategic Partnership Aiming to Triple $3.4 Billion Trade by 2035
Updated
Updated · Prime Minister of Canada · Jul 2
Canada, Philippines Launch Strategic Partnership Aiming to Triple $3.4 Billion Trade by 2035
3 articles · Updated · Prime Minister of Canada · Jul 2
Summary
Mark Carney and Ferdinand Marcos Jr. unveiled a Canada-Philippines strategic partnership in Vancouver, expanding cooperation across trade, energy, defence, tourism, labour and migration.
A Canada-Philippines free trade deal is now targeted for completion by year-end and is expected to triple bilateral trade by 2035 from $3.4 billion in 2025, with gains seen for Canadian agriculture and forest products.
The two sides also signed an energy and natural resources declaration and a technical assistance partnership to support resilient supply chains, while labour and migration talks aim to strengthen protections for migrant workers.
Defence ties are set to deepen as a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement nears entry into force, enabling closer training and joint exercises after logistics and defence-cooperation accords signed last month.
The visit marks the first by a Philippine head of state to Canada in 11 years and fits Ottawa's broader Indo-Pacific push, including a Canada-ASEAN trade deal that it says could add nearly $2 billion to GDP and 14,000 jobs.
Is Canada's new military pact with Manila a direct challenge to other powers in the South China Sea?
With the new labor deal being non-binding, what will truly protect Filipino workers from exploitation in Canada?
Will Canada's new investment in the Luzon Corridor uplift local communities or mainly benefit Canadian firms?
Canada and the Philippines Forge Strategic Partnership: Ambitious Trade, Security, and Labor Goals for 2026 and Beyond
Overview
On July 2, 2026, Canada and the Philippines officially elevated their relationship to a strategic partnership during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s visit to Vancouver, marking the first Philippine presidential visit to Canada in over a decade. This milestone signals a new era of deepened cooperation, built on reliability, steadfastness, and mutual trust. The partnership aims to enhance collaboration across key sectors, foster stability and prosperity for both countries, and support peace in the broader Indo-Pacific region. Leaders emphasized that this strategic partnership is defined by enduring commitment, setting the stage for ambitious joint initiatives and stronger bilateral ties.