US to spare some Apple products from latest China tariffs

A demonstration of the newly released Apple Watch Series 4 is seen following the product launch event at the Steve Jobs Theater in Cupertino, California, U.S. September 12, 2018. - Reuters

NEW YORK: The United States will spare some technology products including Apple Inc's Watch and AirPods from the next round of tariffs it is imposing on Chinese goods, Bloomberg reported on Monday, citing two people familiar with the matter.

A product code that covers the Apple goods and similar smart watches and fitness trackers made by competitors including Fitbit Inc is not on the list of Chinese products that will attract a tariff, Bloomberg reported.

The United States is preparing to announce tariffs on an additional $200 billion worth of Chinese goods, top White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said on Monday, as part of an intensifying trade dispute between the world's two largest economies.

Neither Apple nor Fitbit immediately responded to Reuters' requests for comment.

Apple and Fitbit stocks each trimmed some losses in afternoon trading amid a broader decline on Wall Street.

The proposed U.S. tariffs would affect prices for a "wide range" of Apple products, including its Watch, the company had told trade officials earlier this month. - Reuters