By Ryan Harrison and Oscar Pandiello ( September 22, 2026, 14:17 GMT | Insight) -- A “substantial agreement” has put the EU-Philippines free-trade deal on track for final conclusion in the coming months, but legal, translation, and approval steps could take up to two years, the EU's chief trade official said Tuesday. The deal would liberalize over 97 percent of bilateral trade, according to the European Commission.EU and Philippine companies could wait up to two years for a free-trade agreement to enter into force, as the two sides still need to clear legal and political steps before it can be implemented, EU trade chief Maroš Šefčovič said Tuesday....
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