BEIJING, April 25 (Alliance News):China is weighing the possibility of exempting select US imports from its 125% retaliatory tariffs, in a move signaling growing concerns in Beijing over the economic impact of its trade standoff with Washington.
The Ministry of Commerce has reportedly begun collecting exemption requests from companies and circulating a list of 131 product categories potentially eligible for relief, ranging from vaccines and chemicals to jet engines.
Financial publication Caijing reported that eight semiconductor-related items might be included, though memory chips are expected to be excluded.
Despite repeated inquiries, Chinese authorities have not confirmed the list or provided official statements.
Sources say the exemptions indicate Beijing’s quiet acknowledgement of mounting economic pressures, including weakened consumer demand and ongoing deflationary trends following the pandemic.
The policy shift could also be a strategic gesture to stabilize local industries and ease tensions with the US.
While China maintains a firm public stance on resisting pressure from Washington, businesses report challenges in redirecting exports to domestic markets due to lower demand and smaller margins.
Analysts suggest that selective tariff relief may help support key industries while subtly easing trade tensions without appearing to capitulate.
The US has already implemented exemptions on some electronic goods, and the Chinese move may mirror that strategy, aiming to manage economic fallout on both sides of the dispute
