Today, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, met with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., during his visit to Manila, Philippines.
Prime Minister Carney and President Marcos Jr. highlighted the significant expansion of cooperation under the Canada-Philippines Strategic Partnership across trade, development, energy, and people-to-people ties. With bilateral merchandise trade reaching $3.4 billion in 2025, the leaders welcomed the successful conclusion of negotiations for a Canada-Philippines free trade agreement, just one year after they announced their launch. Both countries are now working toward the agreement’s signature in 2027. Once in force, this agreement could increase exports up to three times by 2035.
The leaders also emphasised efforts to advance defence and security cooperation, including through the implementation of the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement. To that end, they announced multiple new joint measures to improve information sharing and strengthen border and cyber security, including the launch of a new cyber security dialogue, increased military cooperation through biannual military-to-military talks, and steps toward agreements on customs cooperation and the protection of sensitive information. President Marcos also welcomed the extension of Canada’s Dark Vessel Detection program to 2033.
Prime Minister Carney underscored Canada’s commitment to supporting the Philippines’ long-term prosperity and resilience. To this end, Canada announced $26 million in international assistance for projects that will support community resilience, investment readiness and food logistics in the Luzon Economic Corridor, climate-resilient agriculture, and the strengthening of nuclear regulatory capacity in the Philippines.
Prime Minister Carney and President Marcos Jr. exchanged views on regional issues and reaffirmed their shared commitment to a free, open, inclusive, and prosperous Indo-Pacific. They agreed to continue advancing cooperation on shared priorities, including economic growth, security, infrastructure development, and food security.
The Prime Minister thanked the President for his hospitality, and the leaders agreed to remain in close contact and to continue advancing a stronger, more ambitious partnership between the two countries.