NEGOTIATIONS for the Philippines’ Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with Chile will hopefully conclude by next month, Trade Undersecretary Allan Gepty told The Manila Times in a text message on Wednesday.
Talks for the free trade agreement (FTA), the country’s first in Latin America, began in December 2024.
In free trade negotiations, the two parties engage in complex, multi-round talks to reduce tariffs and non-tariff barriers, establish common trade rules and open up markets for goods, services and investments. The process requires give-and-take to balance domestic protections with the economic benefits of international trade.
Round 3 of the PH-Chile negotiations, held on Oct. 6-10, 2025, focused on goods, services, digital trade and technical cooperation.
Overall, the deal covers investment, intellectual property, digital trade, competition and financial services, among other sectors.
It also provides opportunities for Filipino professionals, service providers and companies wanting to do business in Chile.
In 2025, Gepty met with Chilean Vice Minister of Trade Claudia Sanhueza at the APEC Leaders’ Week, in which they both expressed determination to finalize the trade deal.
The Philippines is pursuing its inclusion in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, while Chile wants to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.
In 2025, Philippine exports to Chile totaled $45.4 while imports amounted to $115 million.
The Philippines also wants to wind up its trade deals with the European Union and Canada this year.
So far, its four bilateral trade deals include an Economic Partnership Agreement with Japan, a European Free Trade Association partnership, an FTA with South Korea and a CEPA with the United Arab Emirates.
