Some Philippine exports, including electronic products, auto parts, aircraft components, agricultural products, and minerals valued at USD11.98 billion, are exempt from the latest round of tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, while USD6.25 billion worth of exports are subject to the 12.5 percent tariff.
Bianca Pearl R. Sykimte, director of the Department of Trade and Industry’s Export Marketing Bureau, said the figures are based on the bureau’s preliminary assessment using 2025 trade data. The exports covered by the tariff account for 34.28 percent of Philippine exports to the United States.
The exempted electronic products include semiconductors, automatic data processing machines, integrated circuits, printers, headphones, and projectors.
Exempted auto parts include ignition wiring sets and lead-acid batteries, while exemptions for the aircraft sector cover aircraft parts and seats.
Exempt agricultural products include coconut products (copra/crude oil, water/juice, and desiccated coconut); pineapple products (preserved, juice, dried, fresh, and jams); bananas (fresh, frozen, and dried); mangoes (dried, preserved, purees, and frozen); cocoa; frozen cassava; taro (frozen and dried); as well as pastries and biscuits.
Copper ores and concentrates, nickel ores and concentrates, and cobalt ores and concentrates are also exempt from the new tariff.
Meanwhile, the major export products covered by the tariff are those from labor-intensive industries, including leather and travel goods, apparel, footwear, and toys.
On July 24, 2026, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) announced new tariffs on imports from 60 economies, including the Philippines, citing their alleged failure to prohibit and effectively enforce restrictions on the importation of goods produced with forced labor under Section 301 of the U.S. Trade Act of 1974.
“Based on the findings in the investigation of the Philippines, considering the public comments, testimony, and the advice of the Section 301 Committee, as well as the advice of advisory committees, and in accordance with the specific direction of the President, the Trade Representative has determined to impose 12.5 percent tariffs on products of the Philippines,” the USTR said in a notice.
