WASHINGTON: The Trump administration has exempted smartphones, computers and other electronics from its punishing "reciprocal" tariffs – lessening the cost impact on American consumers for a host of popular high-tech products.

The exemptions, published late Friday in a notice by the US Customs and Border Protection office, cover various electronic goods including smartphones and components entering the United States from China, which are currently subject to a staggering additional 145 per cent tariff.

Semiconductors are also excluded from the "baseline" 10-per cent tariff on most US trading partners and the added 125-per cent levy on China.

The exclusions narrow the range of sweeping 10-per cent levies announced by President Donald Trump earlier this month, and the punishing additional rate on goods from China.