China has announced plans to eliminate tariffs on imports from all 53 African nations with which it maintains diplomatic ties, marking a significant expansion of its trade relationship with the continent. The announcement was made during a China-Africa co-operation forum, as African nations brace for the possible imposition of new tariffs on exports to the United States.
This development further cements China’s status as Africa’s largest trading partner—a position it has held for 15 consecutive years. In 2023 alone, African exports to China reached approximately $170 billion. The tariff removal builds on a 2023 policy that scrapped import duties for 33 of Africa’s least developed countries.
The extension of zero-tariff access will now include some of Africa’s major economies such as South Africa and Nigeria, although China has not specified when the policy will take effect. Eswatini remains the only African nation excluded from the initiative due to its diplomatic recognition of Taiwan, which China regards as a breakaway province.
A joint ministerial statement released at the forum took a veiled swipe at the United States, condemning efforts by “certain countries” to “disrupt the existing international economic and trade order” through unilateral tariffs. The statement urged Washington to resolve trade issues on the basis of “equality, respect, and mutual benefit.”
China’s move comes at a time when the U.S. is considering steep tariffs on a range of African goods. In April, President Donald Trump proposed significant tariff hikes, including a 50% rate on Lesotho, 30% on South Africa, and 14% on Nigeria. While implementation has been paused until next month, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has indicated that countries negotiating “in good faith” may be granted further extensions.
In 2024, the United States imported nearly $40 billion worth of goods from Africa, a portion of which benefited from duty-free access under the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). The future of that trade agreement remains uncertain as the Trump administration pushes for revised terms.
China’s zero-tariff pledge is being viewed as a strategic effort to strengthen its economic ties with Africa at a time when African nations may be reassessing their trade alliances.
