PH seeks Trump tariff exemption

The Marcos administration is pushing for the exemption of the Philippines from the planned imposition of a 100 percent tariff threatened by United States (US) President Donald Trump on foreign-made semiconductors, cushioning the industry from a potential slowdown in investments.

- BY DEXTER BARRO II

Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Secretary Frederick Go described that the government is still in a “gray space” after Trump’s industry-shifting announcement last week.

Trump has said that he will impose tariffs on semiconductor imports, with exceptions for companies that are manufacturing in the US or those that have committed to doing so.

According to Go, some of America’s trading partners have claimed that their semiconductor exports are already exempted from the US’ latest tariff threat after reaching a deal with the Trump administration.

“And of course, we are lobbying that our semiconductor exports likewise be exempted if there is such,” he told reporters on the sidelines of the Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines (EJAP) Economic Forum 2025.

Go, a prominent figure in Marcos’ economic team, said the government will still schedule a meeting with the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) to clarify this situation.

“There's nothing to my knowledge, up to today, if any country has actually signed. I think so far, everything is a media announcement,” he added.