Chinese import agencies in Shenzhen have reported that China has quietly lifted retaliatory tariffs of 125% on certain US-made semiconductors. These exemptions, which apply to integrated circuits but exclude memory chips, were discovered on April 12, though no official announcement has been made. This rollback aims to mitigate the impact of the ongoing trade war on China’s tech industry, which remains heavily reliant on imported semiconductors. Last year, China imported $11.7 billion worth of semiconductors from the US. Despite efforts to develop its own semiconductor industry, China still depends significantly on imports from the US and other regions. The exemptions benefit major American chipmakers such as Intel and Texas Instruments. While Chinese authorities have not publicly confirmed these exemptions, local customs offices in Shenzhen have reportedly notified some companies about the changes. This move comes amid heightened tensions between the world’s two largest economies, with both sides imposing tariffs that have disrupted global markets and supply chains.
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