Makati city: Philippine export tariffs to the United States remain unchanged despite recent policy shifts, Department of Trade (DTI) Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque said Tuesday. On February 20, the US Supreme Court ruled that President Donald Trump exceeded his authority in imposing tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).
According to Philippines News Agency, before the ruling, Philippine exports faced a 19-percent tariff, with some agricultural products exempted, effective August 7, 2025. Hours after the decision, Trump announced a 10-percent global tariff to replace the voided policy, then raised it to 15 percent the next day. Roque stated that Philippine export levies remain at pre-ruling levels as talks continue with US counterparts.
Roque emphasized, "They're still in talks. That's the word exactly," and refrained from predicting future rates, highlighting the difficulty in making assumptions at this stage. She also mentioned that they have not reached out to their US counterparts regarding the new tariff policies, noting that discussions are ongoing.
At an ASEAN editors and economic opinion leaders forum in Makati City, Roque revealed that Philippine exports grew by 15.2 percent in 2025, reaching a record USD84.41 billion. The country expanded its free trade agreements to 20 partners and significantly boosted micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) sales in the National Capital Region by 210 percent to PHP668 million. Roque stated that as ASEAN Chair, the success story of Philippine exports should extend from a national to a regional level.
The Philippines aims to prioritize digitalization and artificial intelligence through the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement, as well as focus on semiconductor and critical minerals development, renewable energy, cross-border digital talent mobility, MSME growth, and healthcare innovation.
Finance Secretary Frederick Go outlined the Philippines' three priorities: peace and security, prosperity corridors, and people empowerment. He highlighted the country's potential as a working model for sound policy, investment facilitation, and strong public-private partnerships, which can translate into measurable outcomes and long-term prosperity.
Go underscored the intensifying competition for quality investment across ASEAN and the importance of execution capacity in attracting investors. He emphasized the Philippines' reform-driven policy environment and improving ease-of-doing-business conditions, inviting partners to collaborate and advance with both the Philippines and ASEAN as a region. Through stronger collaboration and long-term investment partnerships, Go expressed confidence that regional cooperation can deliver concrete growth and shared prosperity.
