Philippines gains wider market access under ASEAN trade deals

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia—The Philippines is poised to benefit from broader market access, stronger supply chains, and improved trade facilitation after Trade Secretary Cristina A. Roque signed two upgraded regional trade agreements on Oct. 25.

The agreements—the ASEAN–China Free Trade Area (ACFTA) 3.0 Upgrade Protocol and the Second Protocol to Amend the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA)—were signed on the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN Summit.

Both accords support President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s economic goals to expand exports, enhance product quality, generate employment, and boost sustainable and resilient trade across Southeast Asia.

The ACFTA 3.0 Upgrade strengthens trade between ASEAN and China by improving customs procedures, harmonizing standards, and increasing transparency in trade measures to support digital, green, and sustainable commerce.

Building on the original 2002 framework implemented in 2010, the upgrade also introduces stronger consumer protection rules to promote fair competition and product safety across the ASEAN–China market.

The protocol is expected to benefit Filipino businesses and consumers by building trust in e-commerce and cross-border trade through transparent and accountable practices.

It also opens new cooperation channels in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence and advanced technologies to support regional innovation and competitiveness.

Meanwhile, the Second Protocol to Amend ATIGA modernizes ASEAN’s main trade framework to promote freer movement of goods through updated rules on remanufactured goods, environmental trade, supply-chain efficiency, and crisis response.

The agreement includes new “Trade in Crisis Situations” (TICS) provisions that allow scanned documents to be used for essential goods like food, medicine, and relief supplies, facilitating faster border clearance during emergencies.

ASEAN member states also agreed to prioritize each other’s urgent needs during humanitarian crises to strengthen the region’s collective resilience.

The ATIGA revisions support ASEAN’s broader sustainability agenda by encouraging trade in remanufactured goods and eco-friendly industries while streamlining logistics and improving market efficiency.

“These milestones show how ASEAN cooperation can directly benefit our people,” said Roque.

“By modernizing trade rules, promoting fair competition, and improving how goods move across borders even during emergencies, we can build an inclusive regional economy that supports growth, stability, and opportunity for all,” she added.