China scraps tariffs for all but one African nation
China has eliminated tariffs on imports from all African countries except Eswatini, which maintains diplomatic ties with Taiwan, expanding its duty-free policy to 53 nations until April 2028. While Beijing touts the move as a gesture of trade liberalization and soft power, analysts note that structural challenges in African economies limit the policy's impact. Sino-African trade remains heavily imbalanced, with Africa exporting mostly raw materials and importing finished goods, leading to a widening trade deficit.
- ▪China has removed tariffs on imports from 53 African countries, excluding only Eswatini due to its diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
- ▪The duty-free policy, now covering all but one African nation, will remain in effect until 30 April 2028.
- ▪Africa's trade deficit with China reached approximately $102 billion last year, a 65% increase from the previous year.
- ▪African exports to China are primarily raw materials such as crude oil, cobalt, and metallic ores, while China exports manufactured goods.
- ▪Experts argue that while market access improves, the zero-tariff policy does not address deeper structural issues like limited industrial capacity and weak logistics in Africa.
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China scraps tariffs for all but one African nation10 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleKelly NgGetty ImagesSino-African trade is marked by a growing imbalance in China's favourChina will scrap tariffs for all African countries from Friday – except Eswatini, which maintains ties with Taiwan.As of December 2024, China had already implemented a duty-free policy for 33 least-developed African nations. The policy now covers 53 countries, and will be in place until 30 April 2028. It is unclear what will happen after that.Beijing has boasted that it is the first major economy to offer unilateral zero-tariff treatment to Africa.
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