Philippines stakes claim as Latin America’s Asean gateway

Shared history offers an edge, but analysts say the Philippines must deliver more than nostalgia to rival Singapore or Vietnam

“Upon this human foundation, commercial bridges thrive: the Philippines stands as the premier strategic gateway for Latin American firms expanding into Asean’s US$4-trillion market,” she told an audience in Chile, referring to the two regions’ shared Spanish colonial history, Catholic faith and people-to-people ties.

Lazaro also floated the idea of expanding logistics links – citing the regional presence of Philippine port operator International Container Terminal Services – as a way to cut costs and shield supply chains from global shocks via direct trans-Pacific shipping routes.

It also comes as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and Mercosur – a South American trade bloc whose members include Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay – look for new partners amid US tariffs, energy insecurity and wider geopolitical uncertainty.