China Declares Total Removal of Tariffs on Imports from 53 African Nations, According to BBC
During a meeting focused on China-Africa collaboration, Chinese officials conveyed their plan to abolish all tariffs on imports from African nations with which they have diplomatic ties. This action arises against the backdrop of global trade conflicts and the threat of African goods encountering heightened tariffs from the United States.
For over 15 years, China has held the position of being Africa’s foremost trading partner, with imports from the continent totaling around $170 billion in 2023. The choice to remove tariffs extends a 2023 agreement that already encompassed 33 African countries identified as “least developed.”
China as Africa’s Primary Trade Associate
The Trump administration enacted tariffs on imports from Africa, reaching up to 50% for Lesotho and 30% for South Africa. The execution of these policies was momentarily postponed, with the potential for extension for nations engaging in negotiations “in good faith.”
China’s updated list will feature significant economies on the continent, including South Africa and Nigeria. The sole nation absent from this list is Eswatini, which acknowledges Taiwan as an independent entity, a move considered unacceptable by Chinese authorities.
