The government is in talks with the United States (US) to address concerns from domestic exporters that tariff exemptions granted last year could be at risk following the imposition of a 15-percent global levy on imports.

On the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) editors and economic opinion leaders forum (AEEOLF) on Tuesday, Feb. 24, Trade Secretary Cristina Roque said the government is discussing with the US whether the tariff exemptions for agricultural and semiconductor products remain in effect.

“It’s hard to make assumptions now because of course it’s still there,” said Roque. “There are no changes for now.”

The uncertainty over tariff exemptions comes after the US Supreme Court’s decision last week to nullify the sweeping tariffs invoked by President Donald Trump under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), which had included a 19-percent tariff on Philippine goods.

Trump initially implemented a 10-percent global tariff in place of these voided tariffs, which he later raised to 15 percent, the maximum rate allowed under Section 122 of the US Trade Act of 1974. Under this law, the US president is authorized to impose the surcharge for up to 150 days unless extended by Congress.

While the 15-percent global tariff is lower than the 19-percent reciprocal tariff, Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. (Philexport) president Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr. said the previous arrangement was more favorable, as it included exemptions for semiconductors and agricultural products.

“Fifty percent of our exports to the US are electronics. The other half, the majority are agricultural products. I don’t know what happens now,” he said.

Based on data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the US was the country’s top export destination last year, with shipments reaching $13.44 billion, or nearly 16 percent of total exports. Merchandise exports reached a record $84.41 billion in 2025, up 15.2 percent from $73.27 billion the previous year.

Ortiz-Luis said he remains optimistic about export growth for the year, but the new tariffs have made the industry outlook more uncertain. Still, with the 150-day timeline of the global tariffs, he said the government should intensify negotiations to protect local industries.

Specifically, he said the government should ensure that exemptions on agricultural and semiconductor products remain unchanged under the new tariff rate.

For her part, Roque said the exemptions appear to remain in place since the US has not yet issued a clear directive. Nevertheless, she stressed that the government continues active talks with the US to secure the most preferential arrangements for local exporters.

Meanwhile, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) president Ferdinand Ferrer said member enterprises are not yet concerned about the new tariffs.

“We know it’s still going to change,” said Ferrer.