China has quietly exempted from tariffs some semiconductors made in the United States, in an attempt to protect its leading technology companies from a bitter trade showdown with President Donald Trump.

China has exempted some U.S. imports from its 125% tariffs and is asking firms to identify critical goods they need levy-free, according to businesses notified, in the clearest sign yet of Beijing's concerns about the trade war's economic fallout.

China appears to have quietly rolled back retaliatory tariffs of 125% on some semiconductors made in the United States, according to details provided to CNN on Friday by three import agencies in the southern technology hub of Shenzhen.