The Philippine government is lobbying the Trump administration to exclude the country’s semiconductor industry from a planned 100% US tariff on imported chips, Ambassador to Washington Jose Manuel Romualdez said Thursday.
Speaking at the US–ASEAN Business Council meeting in Pasay City, Romualdez called the White House plan “very disturbing” and warned that it could deal a major blow to local chip production, including a billion-dollar Texas Instruments investment now “in limbo.”
The envoy said Manila is coordinating with industry stakeholders — including the US Chamber of Commerce and the Semiconductor Industry Association — to address the issue, noting that even US chipmakers are lobbying to scrap the tariff.
Romualdez also said talks are underway to lower the 19% reciprocal tariff on Philippine goods imposed by Washington, with US trade officials open to reductions once the trade balance improves.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro added that the tariff issue may boost intra-ASEAN trade, as discussions on expanding regional commerce continue.
Romualdez urged the US to increase investments in the Philippines, calling the country a “strategic necessity” in diversifying supply chains and strengthening America’s position in the Indo-Pacific.
Source: The Chronicle
Share:
<p>Time: November 2025<br /> By: WTO and International Trade Group, Legal Department – VCCI</p>
