The Philippines faces the lightest blow from Washington’s new tariff regime—just 17 % on average and with a third of its exports exempt—positioning Manila to lure trade and investment diverted from harder-hit neighbours, a Philippine Institute for Development Studies report says.
A Tariff Exposure Composite Index compiled by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) puts Manila’s overall risk at “moderate,” with an average U.S. duty of just 17 % — the smallest among the five countries surveyed (Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines).
Although the Philippines has not escaped the trade friction sparked by President Donald Trump’s import taxes, its exposure is limited by generous exemptions: roughly one-third of Philippine shipments to the United States — mainly semiconductors, memory chips and storage devices — remain duty-free. By contrast, Indonesia pays a 32 % tariff and secures exemptions on only about 10 % of its exports, even though both nations share the same composite risk score of 2.2.
Vietnam and Thailand face far steeper headline tariffs of 46 % and 36 %, respectively, though those rates have been suspended until July. They also rank higher on the PIDS risk index, at 3.4 and 3.0, reflecting heavier reliance on the U.S. market and thinner exemption coverage.
Malaysia places second-best after the Philippines, with a 24 % duty and the region’s widest shield: exemptions protect nearly 46 % of its U.S. sales, largely in electronics and semiconductor equipment, giving it a risk score of 2.8.
Despite the advantage, PIDS warns the Philippines still trails Malaysia and Vietnam in manufacturing scale, logistics and its ability to absorb fresh investment. “The Philippines is strategically positioned to benefit,” wrote study author and former trade undersecretary Rafaelita Aldaba. “Its low tariff rate, strong exemptions for key exports and moderate exposure create an opportunity to attract trade and investment shifts. But real gains will hinge on rapid improvements in logistics, investment facilitation and targeted export promotion.”
Venezuela will launch a large-scale, three-day military exercise near La Orchila island, involving thousands of troops, naval vessels, aircraft, and d...
Around 300 local and international media representatives will be accredited at the Media Centre established by the Baku City Circuit Operations Compan...
Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump are expected to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit next month in ...
Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have formalised a mutual defence agreement, reinforcing a decades-long security partnership, Pakistani state television repo...
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said during a press briefing in Adjara that some non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have engaged in anti-...
Venezuela will launch a large-scale, three-day military exercise near La Orchila island, involving thousands of troops, naval vessels, aircraft, and drones, amid heightened tensions with the United States over a recent maritime incident.
Around 300 local and international media representatives will be accredited at the Media Centre established by the Baku City Circuit Operations Company to cover this year’s Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump are expected to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit next month in South Korea.
Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have formalised a mutual defence agreement, reinforcing a decades-long security partnership, Pakistani state television reported on Wednesday.
AnewZ has learned that India has once again blocked Azerbaijan’s application for full membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, while Pakistan’s recent decision to consider diplomatic relations with Armenia has been coordinated with Baku as part of Azerbaijan’s peace agenda.
A day of mourning has been declared in Portugal to pay respect to victims who lost their lives in the Lisbon Funicular crash which happened on Wednesday evening.
A Polish Air Force pilot was killed on Thursday when an F-16 fighter jet crashed during a training flight ahead of the 2025 Radom International Air Show.
At least eight people have died and more than 90 others were injured following a catastrophic gas tanker explosion on a major highway in Mexico City’s Iztapalapa district on Wednesday, authorities confirmed.
Venezuela will launch a large-scale, three-day military exercise near La Orchila island, involving thousands of troops, naval vessels, aircraft, and drones, amid heightened tensions with the United States over a recent maritime incident.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump are expected to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit next month in South Korea.
Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have formalised a mutual defence agreement, reinforcing a decades-long security partnership, Pakistani state television reported on Wednesday.
Britain’s King Charles and U.S. President Donald Trump celebrated the enduring “special relationship” between their countries during a state banquet at Windsor Castle on Wednesday.
Three police officers have been fatally shot in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, with two reported to be in grave condition and another in critical care.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment