PHL export prospects riding on tariff ruling by US Supreme Court

A US Supreme Court ruling on the reciprocal tariffs will shape the Philippines’ trade prospects as the justices grapple with President Donald J. Trump’s radical overhaul ofthe trading system, analysts said.

- By Justine Irish D. Tabile Reporter

Associate Professor of the University of Asia and the Pacific George N. Manzano said via Viber: “Because the US is our biggest export market, our prospects will depend on the ruling of the US Supreme Court on the authority of President Trump to impose reciprocal tariffs.”

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that exports to the US totaled $11.158 billion in the first ten months, or about 15.8% of total exports.

In the first 10 months, Philippine exports amounted to $70.43 billion, up 13.8% from a year earlier.

“The export increase looks consistent with peso depreciation, which makes Philippine exports more competitive internationally, and an increase in world demand for semiconductors, which is a significant chunk of Philippine exports,” he said.

Also, among the reasons for the rising semiconductor exports, he said, is the industry’s tariff-exempt status.

In the first 10 months, the Philippines exported $37.7 billion worth of electronic products, up 12.6% from a year earlier.