The Chinese government said today that the US decision to exempt smartphones, computers and other electronic products from additional tariffs is "a small step to correct America's bad practices."
"This decision is a small step for the US to correct its bad practice of unilaterally imposing reciprocal tariffs," a spokesman for China's Ministry of Commerce said in a statement.
He added that Beijing is now assessing the impact of the decision.
The United States, which is in the midst of a trade war with China, has decided to exempt smartphones and computers from recent tariff measures imposed by President Donald Trump, the US Customs Service said yesterday.
These exemptions apply to electronic products imported into the US from China, on which Trump has imposed tariffs of 145 percent.
Semiconductors are exempt from the 10 percent tariff that applies to most US trading partners.
These decisions represent a relief to American consumers, who were at risk of facing price increases for these popular products.
The trade war launched by Trump turned into a duel after he announced 125 percent additional tariffs on China on Wednesday, at the same time as he postponed tariff measures for about 90 other trading partners for 60 days.
The Republican billionaire has already imposed 20 percent tariffs on Beijing to allegedly punish it for laboratories producing fentanyl, the opioid responsible for a serious health crisis in the US.
Beijing responded on Friday by announcing that it would raise its tariffs on all US products entering its territory to 125 percent. The measure took effect yesterday.
Despite the escalation between the world's two leading economic powers, Trump said on Friday he was optimistic about reaching a deal with Beijing.
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