Philippine Garment Makers Find They Can’t Quit the US Just Yet

When US President Donald Trump set a 19% tariff on exports from the Philippines last July, its key body representing foreign buyers of apparel including Walmart Inc. and Neiman Marcus Group LLC pledged to shift gear and focus on other destinations such as the Middle East and Europe.

Six months on, it’s becoming evident how difficult that transition will be to make.

For the Foreign Buyers Association of the Philippines, the US remains a critical market, accounting for between 80% to 85% of its business, despite a push to move up the value chain and branch into new geographies. ...