Marcos seeks support from semiconductor execs ahead of Trump meeting

PHILIPPINE President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. is set to meet with top executives of US semiconductor companies this week as he seeks to further strengthen economic ties with the US, Manila's envoy to Washington said on Sunday.

- 

Mr. Marcos will hold talks with Semiconductor Industry Association President John Neuffer this week, Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel G. Romualdez said during a press briefing in Washington, DC. A video of the briefing was posted by Radio Television Malacañang (RTVM) on YouTube.

"We'll be talking to the semiconductor industry, which is very important for us. [It's] one of our biggest industries [with which we have] economic ties with the United States," he added.

US President Donald J. Trump has imposed a 20% tariff on Philippine-made goods entering the country starting Aug. 1, higher than the 17% previously announced.

For now, semiconductors are excluded from the new reciprocal tariffs. Semiconductors and electronics are the Philippines' top exports to the US.

Mr. Marcos is hoping to secure support from US semiconductor firms to shield the Philippine electronics sector from potential disruption. He is also set to meet with Mr. Trump to discuss the tariff issue.

Mr. Marcos met with Mr. Neuffer last December 2024, where he stressed the need to advance the Philippines' position in the semiconductor value chain to keep pace with global technological shifts.

Manila is one of seven countries that the US is partnering with to diversify its semiconductor supply chain under the CHIPS and Science Act.