>The European Union and the Philippines agreed on a free trade deal, moving to diversify supply chains against the backdrop of higher US tariffs and global trade tensions.
>European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen made the announcement on X after speaking to Philippine leader Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The agreement was reached three years after the regional bloc and the Southeast Asian nation decided to restart talks, she said.
>“Given the challenging geopolitical and geoeconomic context, the two leaders also underlined the importance of working with like-minded partners across the world to ensure open, fair and predictable trade,” according to a readout from the European Commission after the two leaders’ call.
>The agreement underscores how countries are broadening economic relations amid uncertainty over US trade policies. Last week, President Donald Trump threatened the EU with fresh tariffs or even cutting off trade if the bloc makes Canada an associate and harms the US.
>Spoke to President Marcos of the Philippines @bongbongmarcos.
>We just agreed on a 🇪🇺🇵🇭 free trade deal!
>This comes just 3 years after my visit to Manila to relaunch the negotiations.
>I want to thank @MarosSefcovic for yet another trade success.https://t.co/Z0MYsPUNXr pic.twitter.com/QE9erFBAgR
>— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) September 22, 2026
>The Philippines, a key US ally in Asia, is also seeking to expand economic and defense ties beyond Washington. Last year, the EU was the Philippines’ fourth-largest trading partner, accounting for 8.3% of its total goods trade.
>A separate statement from their trade ministers said the agreement will deliver “fair rules and real predictability” and “stronger, more diversified supply chains.”
Amutoji on
The EU is having a great month, huh?
Aggressive1999 on
More trade is always good, and, it seems the EU are expanding their influence into Indo-Pacific region too
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!ping SEA
>The European Union and the Philippines agreed on a free trade deal, moving to diversify supply chains against the backdrop of higher US tariffs and global trade tensions.
>European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen made the announcement on X after speaking to Philippine leader Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The agreement was reached three years after the regional bloc and the Southeast Asian nation decided to restart talks, she said.
>“Given the challenging geopolitical and geoeconomic context, the two leaders also underlined the importance of working with like-minded partners across the world to ensure open, fair and predictable trade,” according to a readout from the European Commission after the two leaders’ call.
>The agreement underscores how countries are broadening economic relations amid uncertainty over US trade policies. Last week, President Donald Trump threatened the EU with fresh tariffs or even cutting off trade if the bloc makes Canada an associate and harms the US.
>Spoke to President Marcos of the Philippines @bongbongmarcos.
>We just agreed on a 🇪🇺🇵🇭 free trade deal!
>This comes just 3 years after my visit to Manila to relaunch the negotiations.
>I want to thank @MarosSefcovic for yet another trade success.https://t.co/Z0MYsPUNXr pic.twitter.com/QE9erFBAgR
>— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) September 22, 2026
>The Philippines, a key US ally in Asia, is also seeking to expand economic and defense ties beyond Washington. Last year, the EU was the Philippines’ fourth-largest trading partner, accounting for 8.3% of its total goods trade.
>A separate statement from their trade ministers said the agreement will deliver “fair rules and real predictability” and “stronger, more diversified supply chains.”
The EU is having a great month, huh?
More trade is always good, and, it seems the EU are expanding their influence into Indo-Pacific region too