China to Scrap Tariffs on Imports from All Diploma...

China to Scrap Tariffs on Imports from All Diplomatic African Partners

Zim Now Writer

China has announced plans to remove tariffs on imports from all African countries with which it has diplomatic relations, further strengthening its trade ties with the continent.

The announcement came during a China-Africa cooperation meeting and follows mounting uncertainty over African exports to the U.S., which now face the threat of steep tariffs under President Donald Trump’s administration.

China, Africa’s largest trading partner for over 15 years, imported approximately $170 billion worth of goods from the continent in 2023. A joint ministerial statement from the meeting criticized unnamed countries—widely understood to mean the U.S.—for “disrupting the international economic and trade order” through unilateral tariffs. It urged Washington to resolve disputes through “equality, respect and mutual benefit.”

The zero-tariff policy will expand on an existing arrangement introduced last year that waived import duties for 33 African countries classified as “least developed.” The new list will include major exporters like South Africa and Nigeria, though no date has been set for when the changes will take effect.

Eswatini, which maintains diplomatic ties with Taiwan, is the only African nation excluded from the deal.

China is a major importer of African raw materials, sourcing critical resources such as cobalt from the Democratic Republic of Congo and bauxite from Guinea.

The development comes as African exporters brace for potential tariffs from the U.S., where President Trump has proposed significant hikes—up to 50% for Lesotho, 30% for South Africa, and 14% for Nigeria. Although the new tariffs are temporarily paused until next month, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the delay could be extended for nations negotiating “in good faith.”

The move threatens the future of the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa), a longstanding trade agreement that allows certain African exports into the U.S. duty-free. In 2024, U.S. imports from Africa totaled US$39.5 billion, some of which fell under Agoa preferences.