BEIJING: China on Sunday called on the US to “completely cancel” its reciprocal tariffs after Washington announced exemptions for consumer electronics and key chipmaking equipment.

“We urge the US to take a big step to correct its mistakes, completely cancel the wrong practice of ‘reciprocal tariffs’ and return to the right path of mutual respect,” a Commerce Ministry spokesperson said in a statement.

Beijing’s Commerce Ministry said the exemptions were a “small step” by Washington and China was “evaluating the impact”of the decision.

It came as retaliatory Chinese import tariffs of 125 percent on US goods took effect Saturday, with Beijing standing defiant against its biggest trade partner.

The exemptions will benefit US tech companies like Nvidia and Dell, as well as Apple, which makes iPhones and other premium products in China.

Most Chinese goods still face a blanket 145 percent levy after the country was excluded from a 90-day tariff reprieve.

AFP