China says U.S. tariff exemption for smartphones, computers 'a small step to fix its mistakes'

China's Ministry of Commerce on Sunday called the latest "reciprocal" tariff exemption for smartphones, computers, and other electronic devices by the Trump administration "a tiny step to fix its mistakes," urging a complete halt to the tariffs.

"We urge the U.S. 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.

"China is now evaluating the latest impact."

In a notice posted late Friday, U.S. Customs and Border Protection stated that a list of tariff codes were excluded from import tax, with retroactive effect from 12:01 a.m. EDT (0401 GMT) on April 5.

It featured 20 product categories, including the broad 8471 code for all computers, laptops, disc drives and automatic data processing. It also included semiconductor devices, equipment, memory chips and flat panel displays.

China's position on China-U.S. economic and trade relations is consistent, the spokesperson said, adding that there is no winner in a trade war and no way out for protectionism.

China urges the U.S. to take the rational voices of the international community and domestic parties seriously, and take a big step forward in correcting wrongdoings, the spokesperson said.