Finance Secretary Frederick Go said the country will continue to engage the United States despite the recent imposition of additional tariffs by President Donald Trump.

Go said in a statement that the country “is an important trade and investment partner.”

He added that previously, most key Philippine exports to the US — such as semiconductors and major agricultural products — were already exempt from tariffs even before the Supreme Court decision.

In April 2025, former US President Donald Trump imposed sweeping tariffs on trading partners under his “America First” policy, citing trade deficits as a national emergency. The Philippines initially faced about 17 percent tariffs on exports to the US, up from the previous 6–7 percent average duty. While exporters raised concerns, Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the overall impact would likely be minimal given strong bilateral ties.

Manila moved quickly to negotiate protections for key sectors such as semiconductors and agriculture. During a 22 July 22 2025 meeting at the White House, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Trump agreed on a 19 percent tariff, slightly lower than earlier threats.

In November 2025, the US lifted tariffs on over $1 billion worth of Philippine agricultural exports, improving competitiveness and supporting jobs and supply chains. Go at the time said the move would improve export competitiveness, create jobs, and strengthen supply chains as businesses adjusted to the new trade environment.

15% across-the-board

Trump raised the new set of tariffs to 15 percent yesterday, the largest allowed under Section 122, doubling down on his promise to maintain his aggressive tariff policy a day after the Supreme Court ruled much of it illegal.

On Friday, 20 February, the US Supreme Court struck down the Trump tariffs, deeming the imposition “unconstitutional,” noting that the president had exceeded his authority when he imposed sweeping tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. The court said the emergency law did not grant the president broad power to levy import taxes without congressional approval.

In response, Trump announced a temporary 10 percent tariff on imports from all countries, with the administration using Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 — a rarely used authority allowing tariffs for up to 150 days without Congress.

Trump, who said the Supreme Court’s decision was “extraordinarily anti-American,” used the provision to temporarily circumvent the Court’s ruling.