In a move that blends diplomacy with economic strategy, China has officially extended zero-tariff trade benefits to 53 African countries—all except Eswatini, the only nation on the continent that maintains diplomatic ties with Taiwan.
The announcement was made following a high-level dialogue in Changsha, China’s Hunan province, where Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with top African officials to discuss deeper trade collaboration. The meeting, though framed as an economic discussion, carried unmistakable political undercurrents.
Eswatini’s exclusion from the new trade deal is no surprise to foreign policy observers. The tiny southern African kingdom remains the last African country to officially recognize Taiwan as a sovereign state, something China regards as a red line. In contrast, the other 53 nations have backed the “One China” policy, which is a key prerequisite for full diplomatic and economic relations with Beijing.
For China, the zero-tariff policy is more than just goodwill—it’s a calculated pivot. As its domestic economy cools, Beijing is leaning heavily into its African partnerships, which have become vital to its global economic outreach. Chinese companies, especially state-owned enterprises, are seeking new markets for goods and services as demand shrinks at home.
By easing trade barriers, China hopes to boost African exports—particularly in agriculture, textiles, and raw materials—while also keeping African goodwill firmly in its corner amid growing tensions with the United States.
A Subtle Swipe at Washington
The timing of the announcement is no accident. It follows the U.S. government’s decision—under President Trump’s revived protectionist agenda—to impose steep tariffs on several African nations. These include:
• Lesotho – up to 50%
• Madagascar – 47%
• Mauritius – 40%
• Botswana – 38%
• South Africa – 31%
In the joint statement, Chinese and African officials urged the United States to “return to the right track” of fair trade based on mutual respect, indirectly criticizing Washington’s recent tariffs as one-sided and punitive.
“Trade should never be used as a weapon,” the statement read. “No country should seek advantage at the expense of another.”
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For many African countries, the zero-tariff initiative could be a welcome economic boost. It offers improved access to China’s vast consumer market, potentially spurring demand for African goods at a time when the global economic climate remains uncertain.
In the long term, the policy could:
• Strengthen African industrial exports
• Attract more Chinese investment in local manufacturing
• Help balance African trade deficits
• Deepen political alignment with Beijing over Western powers
But it also raises important questions about dependency, sovereignty, and the cost of choosing sides in global geopolitics.
China is already Africa’s largest bilateral lender, top infrastructure partner, and a major buyer of commodities ranging from copper to cocoa. This latest gesture reinforces its message: Beijing is open for business and friendship if you play by its rules.
As global alliances continue to shift, this zero-tariff move could be a watershed moment in how Africa navigates its future in a world increasingly divided between China and the West.
