European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a post on X on Tuesday that she had spoken to Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and that they had just agreed on a free-trade deal. • European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maroš Šefcovic and Philippine Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque said in a joint statement the substantial agreement reached on a free-trade deal puts negotiations on a clear path toward its formal conclusion in the coming months.