Exporters seeking new trade frontiers

With the imminent return of the United States’ (US) reciprocal tariffs, Filipino exporters must explore other markets to mitigate the potential impact of the tax scheme, according to the Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. (Philexport).

- BY DEXTER BARRO II

Philexport President Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr. said exporters should diversify into areas that provide a wide array of opportunities, particularly among the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

“ASEAN and the rest of Asia indeed offer viable business propositions considering the supply chain disruptions, high logistics costs, and regional production networks that we have already established here,” he said.

Citing government data, Ortiz-Luis said approximately 15 percent of the Philippines’ total export revenue, or around $11.02 billion, was accounted for by exports to ASEAN member states in 2024.