"Philippine exporters rush shipments to beat new 10% US tariff" 25 February 2026

Philippine exporters are weighing plans to accelerate shipments to the United States (US) to take advantage of the temporary reprieve in trade costs, after Washington set a baseline global tariff at 10 percent rather than a previously threatened 15 percent.

Foreign Buyers Association of the Philippines President Robert Young said local firms are coordinating with US counterparts to gauge appetite for frontloading orders before higher levies potentially take effect...

Young, who also serves as trustee for the textile, yarn, and fabric sector of the Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. (Philexport), said the garment industry resorted to frontloading last year to avoid the imposition of reciprocal tariffs in August.

These advanced deliveries boosted garment exports to an estimated $1 billion in 2025, up from around $900 million the previous year...

However, if the 10-percent tariff rate remains unchanged, he warned that garment exports could lose competitiveness, as the Philippines is already 10 to 15 percent more costly on free on board (FOB) terms than other countries...

Young said exporters are now pursuing other markets in Southeast Asia, Australia, Europe, and Africa as a much-needed “safety net.”..

According to the CBP notice, semiconductors and certain agricultural commodities, such as coconuts and tropical fruits, were among the products exempted from the 10-percent duty...

...Trade Secretary Cristina Roque said discussions are ongoing with the US on whether the tariff exemptions granted to Philippine goods will remain in effect...