Von der Leyen announces EU-Philippines trade deal, gaps remain on procurement
The EU and Philippines reached a preliminary free-trade agreement, but procurement rules and other details are still being negotiated.
What to know
- Von der Leyen announced a 'political agreement' on an EU-Philippines free trade deal after a call with President Marcos Jr., three years after relaunching talks during a Manila visit.
- The Commission's own call summary and trade officials describe the deal as only close to conclusion, not fully finalized.
- Talks on public procurement remain open, complicated by the EU's proposed 'Made-in-EU' content rules under the Industrial Accelerator Act.
- The deal is framed as part of the EU's push to diversify trade relationships in response to US tariff policy under Donald Trump and dependence on China.
Ursula von der Leyen European Commission PresidentFerdinand Marcos Jr. President of the Philippines
Maroš Šefčovič EU Trade CommissionerMaria Cristina Aldeguer-Roque Philippine Trade and Industry Minister
How it unfolded 2 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump articlesposts
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Commission summary shows talks not yet fully closed
Politico Europe reports that the Commission's own readout of the call described the sides as only 'close to concluding' negotiations, and that talks on public procurement remain open, complicated by the EU's proposed 'Made-in-EU' content requirements under the Industrial Accelerator Act.
“kurz vor dem Abschluss der Verhandlungen über ein Freihandelsabkommen…”
— European Commission (call summary) -
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Šefčovič and Roque call it a 'substantial agreement'
In a joint statement, Šefčovič and Aldeguer-Roque said negotiators had been instructed to finalize the deal as quickly as possible, putting it 'on a clear path toward formal conclusion in the coming months'.
“auf einen klaren Kurs in Richtung eines formellen Abschlusses in den kommenden Monaten…”
— Maroš Šefčovič and Maria Cristina Aldeguer-Roque -
Welthandel: Von der Leyen – EU und Philippinen vor Abschluss von Freihandelsabkommen https://www. handelsblatt.com/politik/inter national/welthandel-von-der-leyen-eu-und-philippinen-vor-abschluss-von-freihandelsabkommen/100256408.html?utm_campaign=feed-schlagzeilen&utm_source=flipboard&utm_medium=activitypub Gepostet in Schlagzeilen @…
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background
Von der Leyen announces EU-Philippines trade agreement — Von der Leyen posted on X from New York, where she is attending the UN General Assembly, saying the EU and the Philippines had just agreed on a free trade agreement following a phone call with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
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background
Šefčovič cancels Manila trip, holds video call instead — EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič scrapped a planned visit to Manila and instead held a video call with Philippine Trade Minister Maria Cristina Aldeguer-Roque, which the Commission later called 'very focused and productive'.