11-08-2025
PH to seek exemption from US 100% tariff on semiconductors
The Philippines will seek an exemption from the United States' planned 100% tariff on semiconductors, citing similar exemptions other countries claim to have received, Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs (SAPIEA) Secretary Frederick Go said Monday.
According to Go, the announcement of US President Donald Trump that the United States will impose a 100% on imports of semiconductors is still in a 'gray space,' and officials are awaiting further guidance on the matter.
'We've also noted that some countries are claiming that their semiconductor exports will be exempted, so we are still seeking clarification from the USTR side,' he said in a panel during the EJAP Economic Forum 2025 in Manila.
'We are lobbying that our semiconductor exports likewise be exempted if there is such, but we still have to schedule a call or meeting with them to clarify this matter,' he added.
Trump last week announced a 100% tariff on semiconductor imports, but said it will not apply to companies that are manufacturing in the US or have already committed to do so.
'So far, everything, let's just say almost everything you hear is a media announcement, so whatever you hear in media, we're reading at the same time… To my knowledge up to today, I don't know if any country has actually signed an agreement,' Go said.
Prior to Trump's latest announcement, Go said electronics and semiconductors are not covered by Trump's reciprocal tariff directive.
Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Inc. (SEIPI) president Dan Lachica earlier warned that a 100% tariff could have a 'devastating' impact on the Philippines' semiconductor manufacturing sector.
Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed the US was the country's top export destination in 2024, accounting for 16.6% or $12.14 billion of the total export receipts of $73.27 billion.
Meanwhile, electronic products were the Philippines' top export, accounting for 53.4% or $39.09 billion of the total. Of this amount, the share of semiconductors to the total was 39.8% or $29.17 billion. — BM, GMA Integrated News
