An American business group said that Chinese officials had been surveying companies about American products that are crucial to their supply chains.

Levies on certain U.S.-made microchips have been dropped, importers say. Meanwhile, China has denied President Trump’s claims that talks to reduce tariffs are happening.

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.