Alongside this meeting, the relevant Working Groups responsible for negotiating verious chapters of the ACAFTA had been meeting since February 2, 2026, and are expected to conclude on February 13, 2026. Attending these meetings are the TNC Leads and negotiators from 11 ASEAN countries (Timor Leste was invited to attend as an observer) and Canada. The countries are expected to negotiate the remaining unresolved issues in the ACAFTA, including key chapters such as trade in goods, trade in services, investment, e-commerce, rules of origin, trade and sustainable development, and intellectual property (meeting in Cebu, Philippines).

Overall assessment of negotiation progress

During the TNC 17, the two Co-Chairs of ASEAN and Canada emphasized the strategic importance of the ACAFTA in strengthening the ASEAN-Canada economic partnership, especially in the context of continued global economic uncertainty. Based on the ASEAN Secretariat's report, the TNC comprehensively reviewed the progress of relevant Working Groups through a summary of the negotiation progress document, thereby clearly identifying areas of good progress as well as remaining obstacles requiring guidance at the TNC level.

The Meeting noted that, up to date, several chapters have been either sustantially or completely concluded, including: Transparency, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), Competition, Government Procurement, ECOTECH, SPS, Telecommunications, and some content under the Legal and Institutional Chapter. This demonstrates the significant efforts of the Working Groups in closely following the Ministers' guidances on accelerating and concluding the negotiations.

Work Program for TNC and Working Groups

The TNC 17 agreed to increase the frequency of meetings, particularly in-person meetings and in-depth technical meetings of the Working Groups, to ensure progress according to the revised Comprehensive Work Plan. TNC also supported the increased use of technical assistance through the Expert Deployment Mechanism (EDM) and the ASEAN-Canada Action Plan Fund to support complex negotiation issues.

In addition, TNC tasked the ASEAN Secretariat with continuing to closely monitor the progress of the agreed timelines, periodically updating and reporting to the TNC to promptly propose adjustments to the roadmap if necessary.

Expected Roadmap Towards the Conclusion of ACAFTA Negotiations

Based on the revised Comprehensive Work Plan and updated Roadmap presented at TNC 17, Parties reaffirmed their goal of substantially concluding ACAFTA negotiations in 2026, aiming for a report to and guidance from the Economic Ministers of both sides. According to this roadmap, the majority of negotiation chapters are expected to be concluded in the first half of 2026, while the remaining issues, particularly market access, exceptions, and dispute settlement, will be addressed in the final negotiating stage.

TNC emphasized that achieving this goal requires strong political commitment, flexibility, and close coordination between the Parties at both the technical and policy levels. Therefore, TNC 17 is considered a crucial pivotal step, creating new momentum for the final stage of the ACAFTA negotiation process.

With the results achieved at the TNC 17, ASEAN and Canada reaffirmed their shared determination to build a comprehensive, balanced, and mutually beneficial ACAFTA, making a practical contribution to strengthening economic, trade, and investment linkages between the two sides in coming time.