China has urged the United States to resume a path of mutual respect.
Beijing describes the exemptions as a “small step” by Washington.
The exemptions are expected to favor tech companies, including Nvidia, Dell, and Apple.

China on Sunday requested that the United States “completely cancel” its reciprocal tariffs following Washington’s announcement of exemptions for consumer electronics and essential chip-making equipment.

A commerce ministry spokesperson stated that they urge the US to take a significant step to rectify its errors by completely removing the incorrect practice of ‘reciprocal tariffs’ and returning to the correct approach of mutual respect.

Smartphones, laptops, memory chips, and other items would be excluded from the global levies that President Donald Trump implemented this month, according to a notice issued late Friday by the US Customs and Border Protection office.

The commerce ministry in Beijing stated that the exemptions represented a “small step” on Washington’s part and that China was “evaluating the impact” of the decision.

Retaliatory Chinese import tariffs of 125% on US goods went into effect on Saturday, with Beijing remaining defiant against its largest trade partner.

The exemptions will provide advantages for US tech firms such as Nvidia and Dell, in addition to Apple, which manufactures iPhones and other high-end products in China.

Following the country’s exclusion from a 90-day tariff reprieve, the majority of Chinese goods continue to be subject to a 145% levy.