China weighs exempting some goods from US tariffs as economic fallout is felt

China is reportedly weighing whether to exempt some U.S. imports from its 125% tariffs as the economic fallout in its ongoing trade war with Washington becomes more apparent. 

Per reporting from Reuters, a Ministry of Commerce taskforce is collecting lists of items that could be exempted from tariffs and is asking companies to submit their own requests. 

Financial news magazine Caijing reported on Friday that Beijing was preparing to include eight semiconductor-related items, but not memory chips.

A list of more than 130 categories of products eligible for exemptions – ranging from vaccines and chemicals to jet engines – was circulating widely among businesses and trade groups on Friday. 

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Gantry cranes stand near shipping containers at Yangshan Port outside of Shanghai, China, April 15, 2025. (REUTERS/Go Nakamura / Reuters)

While the scope of possible exemptions remains unknown, Huatai Securities analyzed the list circulating in trade groups and said it corresponded to $45 billion worth of imports last year.

President Donald Trump expressed optimism over a potential trade deal with China. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images / Getty Images)

Washington has said the current status quo is economically untenable and has already offered tariff exemptions to some electronic goods. But Beijing has taken a harder stance, saying it is willing to fight to the end unless the U.S. lifts its tariffs. 

Exemptions are a bigger gesture of support, although, by allowing some trade to resume, they also reduce the pain for the U.S. economy and take some pressure off the White House.

FILE PHOTO: Employees work with sewing machines on the production line of the Midnight Charm Garment lingerie factory in Guanyun county of Lianyungang, Jiangsu province, China November 25, 2024.  (Reuters / Reuters)

The escalating trade war between the two world superpowers comes amid weak demand in China, where consumer spending and sentiment have never properly recovered from the pandemic levels.

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The government is pushing tariff-hit exporters to pivot to local markets, but companies say profits are lower, demand weaker and customers less reliable. 

Reuters contributed to this report.