Philippines, New Zealand ink new trade deal

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May 31, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines and New Zealand have signed a new landmark agreement that will now boost trade and investment opportunities for both countries.

Trade Secretary Cristina Roque and New Zealand Minister for Trade and Investment Todd McClay inked the new Joint Economic Commission (JEC) arrangement on the sidelines of the 2026 APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT) meeting in China last week.

The New Zealand Embassy in Manila announced that the trade deal marks 60 years of diplomatic ties between the two nations.

“This milestone bilateral arrangement establishes a bolder economic horizon – locking in new architecture to advance our trading relationship and continue momentum toward our goal for a 50-percent increase in two-way trade by 2030,” it said.

The embassy added that New Zealand and the Philippines aim to hold the first meeting under the JEC arrangement later this year.

“Sixty years of trust, and an even brighter trade future,” its post on Facebook that shared McClay’s own social media post read.

“It was my pleasure to sign the Arrangement on the Establishment of the Joint Economic Commission between New Zealand and the Philippines with Secretary Roque on the sidelines of the APEC MRT in Suzhou, China,” McClay said.

“Amidst the celebration this year of 60 years of diplomatic relations, the JEC will build on our friendship with the Philippines, allowing us to boost trade, investment, and cooperation,” he said.