Smartphones, other electronics exempted from Trump's tariff measures

The US Customs and Border Protection published a notice on Friday that says smartphones and other electronic devices imported to the United States will be excluded from so-called reciprocal tariffs.

In addition to smartphones, the exclusions will cover computers, semiconductor manufacturing equipment and hard drives. Those goods will also be exempt from a 10 percent tariff the US has imposed on all countries. President Donald Trump's administration has repeatedly imposed additional tariffs on Chinese goods, with the levies adding up to 145 percent on Thursday.

US media reported the exemption is aimed at curbing the impact on major electronic device makers, such as Apple, which manufactures iPhones in China and other countries. The reports also said Washington is trying to keep the prices of smartphones and other goods from soaring in the US, as many such products are made in China.