US slaps 17% tariff on PH goods

US President Donald Trump announced a 17% reciprocal tariff on all Philippine goods, effective April 9, as part of his "Liberation Day" tariff plan impacting 11 ASEAN countries.

While the Philippines is less exposed than other ASEAN nations, the tariffs are expected to weigh on the country's exports and economic growth.

Economists predict the tariffs could dampen industrial output and slow GDP growth, with key sectors like electronics and agricultural products likely to be affected.

The US accounted for nearly 17 percent of Philippine exports in 2024, and BPI estimates the new tariffs could cause Philippine export growth to contract by 4.2% this year, a reversal from the previously projected 6.1% expansion.

Industrial production may also slow by as much as 1.7 percent due to disruptions in supply chains and reduced trade with the US.

Imports are also expected to see a sharp slowdown, growing to just one percent from an initial projection of seven percent this year.

Topics in this story

Explore more stories about these topics.

🤖

This story was generated by AI to help you understand the key points. For more detailed coverage, please see the news articles from trusted media outlets below.