ASEAN-Canada FTA: 18th Negotiating committee and working groups meeting

Attending these meetings are the Heads of Delegation and technical staffs from 11 ASEAN countries (Timor Leste was invited to attend as an observer) and Canada. The countries are expected to negotiate on issues that have not yet been agreed upon in the Free Trade Agreement between the two sides, including important areas such as trade in goods, trade in services, investment, e-commerce, rules of origin, trade and sustainable development, legal and institutional issues, government procurement, and intellectual property.

Accelerating progress in the final stag

Following the achievements of the 17th TNC Meeting, the ASEAN and Canadian Co-Chairs emphasized that the ACAFTA negotiation process is entering a decisive phase, requiring all Parties to intensify their efforts to realize the goal of concluding negotiations in 2026.

Based on updated reports from the ASEAN Secretariat and Working Groups, the 18th TNC Meeting comprehensively reviewed the negotiation progress, noting positive progress in many chapters that have been substantially concluded, while clearly identifying outstanding issues that need to be addressed at the TNC level. Complex issues in areas such as market access, legal and institutional issues, e-commerce, rules of origin, etc., continue to be the focus of discussions in the current stage.

Enhancing flexibility and cross-level coordination

With limited time remaining, the 18th TNC Meeting continued to emphasize the need for countries to enhance their goodwill and flexibility in negotiations, as well as close coordination at all levels – from technical to policy levels (TNCs). Working Groups were encouraged to continue holding in-depth sessions and engaging in bilateral and multilateral exchanges to narrow gaps and differences, particularly on highly technical and sensitive issues.

At the same time, Parties agreed to continue utilizing existing technical assistance mechanisms, including the Expert Deployment Mechanism (EDM) and resources from the ASEAN-Canada Action Plan Fund, to support the handling of complex issues and improve the quality of negotiation outcomes.

Adhering to the roadmap rowards completion of negotiations

At the 18th TNC Meeting, Parties reaffirmed their strong commitment to the roadmap for the substantial conclusion of ACAFTA negotiations in 2026 – a goal previously set by the Economic Ministers of both sides. Accordingly, the majority of the negotiation chapters are expected to be concluded in the early part of the year, while the outstanding issues will be addressed in subsequent negotiation rounds.

The 18th TNC Meeting also tasked the ASEAN Secretariat to closely monitor the progress of the agreed timelines, periodically updating and reporting to promptly propose adjustments, ensuring the negotiation process proceeds in the right direction and effectively.

Reaffirming the strategic significance of ACAFTA

Parties agreed that the ACAFTA Agreement will be a comprehensive economic cooperation framework, contributing to promoting trade, investment, and strengthening economic linkages between ASEAN and Canada in the context of a volatile global economy. The early completion of negotiations on the Agreement not only has economic significance but also contributes to strengthening the strategic partnership between the two sides.

With a constructive spirit, cooperation, and high determination, the 18th ACAFTA TNC Meeting is expected to continue to provide important momentum for the final stage of the negotiation, aiming to build a comprehensive, balanced, and mutually beneficial Agreement between ASEAN and Canada in the near future.