EU and Philippines Reach Free Trade Deal to Diversify Supply Chains
The European Union and the Philippines have reached a substantive agreement on a free trade deal, announced on September 22, 2026, by EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The deal, covering over 94% of tariff lines, aims to diversify supply chains amid US tariff policies. Formal signing is expected in the coming months, with von der Leyen planning to travel to the Philippines in 2027. Civil society groups have raised human rights and environmental concerns.