US to spare some apple goods from latest China tariffs

The Trump administration will spare a category of high-tech products that includes the Apple Watch and AirPods headphone from the next round of tariffs it's imposing on Chinese goods, according to two people familiar with the matter.

The government is expected to release as early as Monday the final list of as much as $200 billion of Chinese products that will be hit with a new 10 percent tariff, according to five people familiar with the matter. A product code that covers Apple Inc.'s Watch and AirPods -- as well as similar smart watches, fitness trackers and other goods made by competitors -- is not on the list, the two people said.

The people asked not to be identified because the new round of tariffs hasn't yet been announced. Apple didn't respond to a request for comment.

The product code covers wireless devices, and it was included on a preliminary list the administration released in July. Other Apple products under the code include the HomePod speaker, BeatsWL headphones, and AirPort and Time Capsule internet routers. The value of such imports from China is about $12 billion, according to one of the people.

Bloomberg