PHILEXPORT

03/06/2026

PHILEXPORT statement on the new U.S. tariffs on products made through forced labor
June 3, 2026

The Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (PHILEXPORT) has expressed grave concern over the proposal by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to impose additional duties of up to 12.5 percent on products from economies that it found lacking in the prohibition and enforcement against the import of goods produced through forced labor.

Based on Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, the USTR has identified 60 economies including the Philippines that it claimed to have failed to impose and effectively enforce a prohibition on the importation of goods produced with forced labor.

PHILEXPORT President Sergio R. Ortiz-Luis Jr. has affirmed that there is no such practice among its individual and organization members, noting that Philippine exporters are implementing responsible sourcing, transparency, and compliance with labor standards demanded by global markets.

“We urge the USTR to engage in constructive dialogue with Philippine authorities and the private sector to better appreciate the reforms already undertaken and the continuing measures being implemented,” he said.

Philippine laws strictly prohibit forced labor, slavery, involuntary servitude, and human trafficking. These measures include Republic Act No. 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, as amended by Republic Acts No. 10364 and No. 11862, as well as Republic Act No. 10361 or the Domestic Workers Act. Violations are imposed severe penalties, including long-term imprisonment and substantial fines, particularly when involving minors or are committed by organized groups.

The Philippines has further strengthened its stance against forced labor through adherence to key International Labour Organization standards, including Convention No. 105 on the Abolition of Forced Labour, and more recently Convention No. 190 on violence and harassment in the world of work. The country is also working toward ratifying the 2014 Protocol to the Forced Labour Convention, which further strengthens measures to prevent forced labor and protect victims.

Ortiz-Luis likewise urged the Philippine government to continue to actively engage with U.S. trade authorities on the country’s labor enforcement framework and demonstrate ongoing compliance efforts.

Negotiators also need to emphasize that the Philippines is the U.S.’s best ally in the region. However, we are not in the position to determine which products and country the violations are coming from. For this reason, the U.S. needs to share specific details on such cases so we are not working blindly, Ortiz-Luis said.

“A blanket tariff approach risks penalizing compliant exporters and workers while overlooking the substantial reforms already undertaken by the Philippines”, he said. “PHILEXPORT remains committed to supporting initiatives that uphold workers’ rights, strengthen supply chain integrity, preserve market access, and foster a fair, rules-based international trading environment.”

02/06/2026

CEBU’S export sector posted a stronger performance in the first four months of 2026 despite the continued weakness of the Philippine peso and other global headwinds.

Data from the Bureau of Customs and Philexport Cebu showed that the free-on-board (FOB) value of Cebu’s seafreight exports rose 13.4 percent to $239.3 million from $211 million in the same period last year.

CEBU’S export sector posted a stronger performance in the first four months of 2026 despite the continued weakness of the Philippine peso and other global headw

02/06/2026

AN alliance of the country’s top business and labor organizations has called on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to take decisive action to strengthen freedom of association, improve accountability mechanisms, and ensure policy coherence in the protection of workers’ rights.

In a joint open letter dated May 28, the Leaders Forum stressed that freedom of association remains a fundamental right guaranteed by the Constitution and by international labor standards, particularly International Labor Organization (ILO) Convention 87.

AN alliance of the country’s top business and labor organizations has called on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to take decisive action to strengthen freedom of association, improve accountability mechanisms, and ensure policy coherence in the protection of workers’ rights.

02/06/2026

FOURTEEN wage petitions are set to be deliberated by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board-National Capital Region (RTWPB-NCR).

In its notice, the NCR wage board said the wage petitions are seeking different amounts of pay adjustments ranging from P200 to P842.

FOURTEEN wage petitions are set to be deliberated by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board-National Capital Region (RTWPB-NCR).In its notice, the

01/06/2026

PHILEXPORT News and Features *
May 29, 2026
For the full stories, please visit https://philexport.ph/philexport-news-and-features/

01/06/2026

Exports extended its momentum in April, giving the country its strongest four-month export performance in more than four years despite lingering geopolitical risks and volatile exchange rates, the Department of Trade and Industry said.

Citing preliminary Philippine Statistics Authority data, the DTI said export sales reached $7.21 billion in April, up 6.3% from a year earlier. The latest figure marked the country’s 16th straight month of export growth.

From January to April, exports totaled $29.93 billion, higher than the $26.93 billion recorded in the same period last year.

Philippine exports rose 6.3% to $7.21 billion in April, marking the 16th straight month of growth.

01/06/2026

PHILIPPINE exporters must remain agile as global trade conditions continue to shift, with businesses expected to navigate new market requirements and external risks despite the country’s sustained export growth, according to Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque.

Roque said the country’s latest export performance reflects ongoing efforts to strengthen the competitiveness of local exporters and prepare them for a rapidly changing international trading environment.

“As international trade environment continues to evolve, it is important that our exporters are prepared to adapt to new requirements and challenges,” Roque said in a statement.

Top NewsExporters must adapt as trade rules evolve, risks rise—DTIBless Aubrey OgerioJune 1, 20262 minute read PHILIPPINE exporters must remain agile as global trade conditions continue to shift, with businesses expected to navigate new market requirements and external risks despite the country’...

01/06/2026

Non-tariff measures (NTMs) have become a heavier burden on global exporters than tariffs in most economies, with compliance costs exceeding tariff-related expenses in 88 percent of countries, according to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

In its May Global Trade Update, UNCTAD said recent tariff adjustments in 2025 have unevenly affected economies, with developing countries bearing a larger share of overall trade costs due to complex regulatory requirements tied to NTMs.

The report said exporters in these markets are disproportionately affected by certification rules, product standards, and administrative procedures that require significant time and financial resources to comply with.

Non-tariff measures (NTMs) have become a heavier burden on global exporters than tariffs in most economies, with compliance costs exceeding tariff-related expen

01/06/2026

Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. (Philexport) has urged the government to exercise caution in granting another minimum wage increase in Metro Manila, warning that higher labor costs could hurt exporters, micro enterprises, and the broader economy at a time of elevated inflation and slowing global demand.

In a May 25 position paper submitted to the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board-National Capital Region (RTWPB-NCR), Philexport said it would respect whatever decision the wage board reaches but argued that a mandated wage increase could ultimately undermine business competitiveness and employment generation.

Philexport president Sergio R. Ortiz-Luis Jr., who also heads the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), said periodic increases in minimum wages do not necessarily benefit all workers and may widen disparities between employees in the formal and informal sectors.

Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. (Philexport) has urged the government to exercise caution in granting another minimum wage increase in Metro Manila,...

01/06/2026

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) warned exporters to prepare for a more challenging environment in the wake of the fighting in Iran, including foreign exchange volatility and destination markets possibly imposing new requirements in order to admit foreign goods.

In a statement Sunday, the DTI said export performance could be dampened by the Iran war after a solid performance in April.

Export sales rose 6.3% to $7.21 billion in April, mainly driven by electronics, minerals and agro-based products.

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) warned exporters to prepare for a more challenging environment in the wake of the fighting in Iran, including foreign exchange volatility and destination markets possibly imposing new requirements in order to admit foreign goods. In a statement Sunday, the....