The Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. (PHILEXPORT) has urged continued dialogue with American authorities following a landmark ruling by the Supreme Court of the United States that struck down President Donald Trump’s “reciprocal” tariffs as unconstitutional.
While welcoming the reinstatement of constitutional limits on executive trade powers, PHILEXPORT expressed concern over the immediate imposition of a new 10-percent global tariff.
On Saturday, however, Trump raised the global duty on imports into the United States to 15 percent, doubling down on his promise to maintain his aggressive tariff policy a day after the Supreme Court ruled much of it illegal.
Shortly after the court’s 6-3 ruling that rejected the president’s authority to impose tariffs under a 1977 economic emergency powers act, Trump had initially announced a new 10 percent global levy by invoking a different legal avenue.
Trump said on his Truth Social platform that after a thorough review of Friday’s “extraordinarily anti-American decision” by the court to rein in his tariff program, the administration was hiking the import levies “to the fully allowed, and legally tested, 15% level.”
Throughout 2025, Philippine exporters faced an average 19 percent reciprocal levy.
“The invalidation of the previous 19-percent tariff provides much-needed legal relief to our members,” said PHILEXPORT president Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr.
“Our exporters showed incredible resilience last year, driving total exports to a record $84.4 billion despite these headwinds. This ruling removes a major barrier that was unfairly penalizing Philippine craftsmanship and industry.”
Saturday’s announcement is sure to provoke further uncertainty as Trump carries on with a trade war that he has used to cajole and punish countries, both friend and foe.
PHILEXPORT said it remains optimistic that key sectors — particularly semiconductors and electronics, which generated $47 billion in 2025 —will continue to benefit from existing exemptions due to their strategic role in the US technology supply chain.
The group also highlighted that more than $1 billion worth of Philippine agricultural exports, including coconut oil, pineapples, and mangoes, remain covered by specific exemptions, helping preserve the competitiveness of these industries.
Under US law, the Section 122 tariff is capped at 150 days unless extended by Congress. PHILEXPORT said this temporary period provides an opportunity for bilateral negotiations to secure a more stable and predictable trading environment. With AFP
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline: “Exporters urge more talks with US after court voids Trump tariffs”
