WASHINGTON, DC – In a significant shift in the ongoing trade war between the United States and China, the Trump administration has announced exemptions for certain tech imports from China. The exclusions cover a wide range of products, including smartphones, laptops, and various tech components that would have otherwise been subjected to steep tariffs.

US Customs and Border Protection released a notice listing 20 product categories that would be spared from the so-called “reciprocal tariffs”. This decision comes as a relief to major US technology companies like Apple, who heavily rely on Chinese manufacturing for their products.

The move reflects a growing recognition within the Trump administration of the potential negative impact that tariffs could have on US consumers, particularly in the tech sector. Daniel Ives, a senior equity analyst at Wedbush Securities, hailed the exemptions as great news for tech investors, stating that they remove a significant burden from the sector.

While these exemptions provide temporary relief, Chinese retaliatory tariffs on US goods have already taken effect. As tensions escalate between the two economic powerhouses, the impact of the trade war on global markets remains uncertain.

Earlier in the week, Trump administration officials announced a 90-day reprieve on tariffs for most countries, opting for a flat 10% rate instead. However, China was excluded from this revised scheme, indicating the ongoing tension between the two nations.

The decision to exempt certain tech imports from China marks a potential sign of softening in the US trade war stance against Beijing. Despite this development, the broader implications of the trade dispute continue to pose challenges for both countries and the global economy as a whole.