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The Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. called for sustained dialogues following the United States Supreme Court’s ruling that struck down President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs
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The organization welcomed the restoration of constitutional checks on trade power
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But PHILEXPORT expressed “guarded concern” over Trump’s announcement that he will still impose a 10% global tariff, then raised to 15% over the weekend
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PHILEXPORT said the invalidation of the previous 19% tariff provides much-needed legal relief to members
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While the 15% tariff is an additional cost, its “global” application means the Philippines maintains its relative competitiveness against other trading nations
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Group also views the 150-day limit for the 15% tariff under Section 122, unless extended by the US Congress, as a “crucial time for bilateral negotiation.”
The Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (PHILEXPORT) called for sustained dialogues following the United States Supreme Court’s ruling that struck down President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs.
While the organization welcomed the restoration of constitutional checks on trade power, PHILEXPORT in a statement expressed “guarded concern” over Trump’s announcement — after condemning the Supreme Court decisions – that he will impose a 10% global tariff, which he then to 15% by the weekend.
In a 6-3 decision on February 20, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the sweeping tariffs exceed the powers given to the president by Congress under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), a law issued in 1977 providing the president the authority to regulate commerce during national emergencies created by foreign threats.
“The president asserts the extraordinary power to unilaterally impose tariffs of unlimited amount, duration and scope,” chief justice John Roberts Jr. wrote in the ruling.
“IEEPA’s grant of authority to ‘regulate…importation’ falls short. IEEPA contains no reference to tariffs or duties. The Government points to no statute in which Congress used the word ‘regulate’ to authorize taxation. And until now no President has read IEEPA to confer such power,” Roberts added.
“We claim no special competence in matters of economics or foreign affairs. We claim only, as we must, the limited role assigned to us by Article III of the Constitution. Fulfilling that role, we hold that IEEPA does not authorize the President to impose tariffs,” he said.
PHILEXPORT said for Philippine exporters, who faced an average “reciprocal” levy of 19% throughout 2025, this ruling represents a significant victory for a rules-based trading system.
“The invalidation of the previous 19% tariff provides much-needed legal relief to our members,” PHILEXPORT president Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr. said.
“Our exporters showed incredible resilience last year, driving total exports to a record $84.4 billion despite these headwinds. This ruling removes a major barrier that was unfairly penalizing Philippine craftsmanship and industry,” Otiz-Luis said.
Following the Supreme Court ruling, Trump immediately announced a 10% across-the-board tariff under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, effective February 24, 2026.
On February 21, he then announced he will raise this to 15%.
“…I, as President of the United States of America, will be, effective immediately, raising the 10% Worldwide Tariff on Countries, many of which have been ‘ripping’ the U.S. off for decades, without retribution (until I came along!), to the fully allowed, and legally tested, 15% level,” Trump said in a Truth Social post.
The 15% tariff is, however, allowed only for 150 days and will require Congress approval for extension.
PHILEXPORT said that while the 10%, later raised to 15% tariff, is an additional cost, its “global” application means the Philippines maintains its relative competitiveness against other trading nations, Ortiz-Luis said.
READ: PH slashes export targets amid US, global trade turmoil
PHILEXPORT said it is optimistic that critical sectors, particularly semiconductors and electronics (which reached $47 billion in 2025), will continue to be shielded by existing exemptions due to their role in the US tech supply chain.
Moreover, it noted that more than $1 billion worth of Philippine agricultural exports — including coconut oil, pineapples, and mangoes — remain under specific exemptions, ensuring these vital industries stay competitive.
READ: PH agri exports to US now exempt from 19% reciprocal tariff
PHILEXPORT also views the 150-day limit for the 15% tariff under Section 122, unless extended by the US Congress, as a “crucial time for bilateral negotiation.”— Roumina Pablo
