Canada, Philippines Launch Strategic Partnership to Expand Trade, Defence and Indo-Pacific Cooperation
Canada-Philippines Strategic Partnership Expands Trade, Defence and Energy Cooperation
VANCOUVER — Canada and the Philippines have launched a new Strategic Partnership aimed at expanding trade, strengthening defence cooperation and deepening economic ties, as Prime Minister Mark Carney welcomed Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to Vancouver for the first visit by a Philippine head of state to Canada in 11 years.
Announced on July 2, the new partnership outlines an ambitious agenda that includes concluding negotiations on a Canada-Philippines Free Trade Agreement (FTA), expanding cooperation in energy and mining, strengthening military ties in the Indo-Pacific, and improving labour mobility and cultural exchanges between the two countries.
The announcement builds on 77 years of diplomatic relations and reflects Canada’s broader strategy to diversify international partnerships while strengthening economic resilience and national security.
Free Trade Agreement Targeted for 2026
A central pillar of the Strategic Partnership is the goal of completing negotiations on a Canada-Philippines Free Trade Agreement before the end of the year.
According to the federal government, the agreement is expected to increase bilateral trade by nearly 200 per cent by 2035, creating new export opportunities for Canadian businesses, particularly in agriculture and forest products.
The leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to completing negotiations on the Canada-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement during the Philippines’ 2026 ASEAN chairmanship.
Ottawa estimates that the broader ASEAN agreement could add nearly $2 billion to Canada’s economy while creating almost 14,000 Canadian jobs, including positions in manufacturing and agriculture.
The Philippines is one of Canada’s closest partners in the Indo-Pacific. That partnership is reinforced by the more than one million Filipino Canadians.
President Marcos Jr. and I are ready to build on our close ties and create new opportunities for both our peoples. pic.twitter.com/pixo1ORgUy
— Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) July 2, 2026
Expanding Energy and Mining Cooperation
Canada and the Philippines also announced a Joint Declaration of Intent on Energy and Natural Resources Cooperation along with a new Technical Assistance Partnership.
The agreements are designed to strengthen cooperation on responsible resource development, resilient supply chains and energy security throughout the Indo-Pacific region.
Officials said the partnerships will support sustainable development while creating new investment opportunities in mining, natural resources and clean energy.
Defence Partnership Deepens
The Strategic Partnership also expands defence cooperation between the two countries.
The federal government confirmed that the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) will soon enter into force, allowing Canadian and Philippine armed forces to conduct more joint military exercises and operate together more effectively.
The agreement builds upon the recently signed Mutual Logistics Support Arrangement and Statement of Intent on Strengthening Defence Cooperation.
Canadian officials say the measures will strengthen interoperability between both militaries while reinforcing Canada’s presence in the Indo-Pacific.
Supporting Filipino Canadians
Canada is home to more than one million Canadians of Filipino descent, making the Filipino Canadian community one of the country’s largest and fastest-growing diaspora populations.
To strengthen those ties, both governments signed Memoranda of Understanding on tourism and cultural cooperation to encourage travel, artistic collaboration and cultural exchange.
The countries also announced a Joint Declaration of Intent on Labour and Migration, establishing a framework to strengthen protections for migrant workers, promote ethical recruitment practices and support safe and transparent labour mobility.
Strengthening Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy
The federal government said the new Strategic Partnership reflects Canada’s commitment to expanding its engagement across Southeast Asia while supporting a free, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific.
The announcement follows recent progress in Canada-Philippines defence cooperation and growing bilateral trade, which reached $3.4 billion in merchandise trade in 2025.
Prime Minister Carney and President Marcos Jr. also indicated they hope to meet again at the 2026 ASEAN Summit in Manila later this year.
The Strategic Partnership represents one of Canada’s most significant bilateral agreements in the Indo-Pacific as Ottawa continues to diversify trade, strengthen international partnerships and expand economic opportunities for Canadian businesses.
Source: Prime Minister’s Office, July 2, 2026.
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