Philippine guns and ammunition makers take a hit from Trump’s tariffs

Markets extended a global selloff on April 4, 2025 as countries around the world reeled from US President’s trade war, but the White House insisted the American economy will emerge victorious. (Photo by JOEL SAGET / AFP)

MANILA, Philippines — A sharp increase in the United States’ tariffs on firearms imports is triggering concerns among local gun manufacturers.

They warn that the new trade barriers could erode their foothold in a key export market and give subsidized foreign competitors a significant edge.

“The increase in tariff is a big problem for us,” Gina Marie Angangco, president of the Firearms and Ammunition Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (FAMAP) told the Inquirer on Friday.

“Our exports to the US had minimal tariffs before, and now it’s 17 percent,” she added.

Last April 2, US President Donald Trump announced the new 17-percent tariff on Philippine exports, with the measure scheduled to take effect on April 9.

Window for talks

However, a few hours after the levies came into force, Trump declared a temporary pause on the implementation, opening the door for further negotiations with affected countries, including the Philippines.

Angangco said the new rate puts Philippine arms and ammunition exporters at a disadvantage, especially against competitors like Turkey, whose firearms exports face only a 10-percent tariff.

While the US government has announced a 90-day hold on the new tariff structure, Angangco said the interim rate of 10 percent still maintains an uneven playing field for Philippine companies.

Before Trump’s new tariffs, she said that the rate was less than 5 percent.

In response, the FAMAP president said they are considering a shift in sourcing strategy, particularly exploring the use of  raw materials from the US in their manufacturing processes to reduce tariff rates.