China: what's happening and what it means

Officials and business leaders in South Africa and Kenya are welcoming China’s new zero‑tariff policy for 53 African nations, saying it will open fresh trade opportunities, cut costs for small businesses, and strengthen economic ties across the continent. China has emerged this Friday as one of the stories drawing attention in Ghana.

Key facts

• Officials and business leaders in South Africa and Kenya are welcoming China’s new zero‑tariff policy for 53 African nations, saying it will open fresh trade opportunities, cut costs for small businesses, and strengthen economic ties across the continent.
• The zero-tariff regime gives China's soft power a boost, but may lead to uneven gains, say analysts.
• China 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.
• Last year, Africa's trade deficit with China rose by 65% to about $102bn.

What we know

Going deeper, the zero-tariff regime gives China's soft power a boost, but may lead to uneven gains, say analysts.

On the substance, China will scrap tariffs for all African countries from Friday – except Eswatini, which maintains ties with Taiwan.

Beyond the headlines, as of December 2024, China had already implemented a duty-free policy for 33 least-developed African nations.

More precisely, Last year, Africa's trade deficit with China rose by 65% to about $102bn.

It is worth noting that the landlocked nation in southern Africa is among just 12 countries that have diplomatic relations with Taiwan, which Beijing sees as a breakaway province that will eventually be "reunited" with China.

By the numbers

At this stage, Beginning 1 May, China will grant zero‑tariff access to goods from 53 African countries that maintain diplomatic relations with Beijing.

On a related note, the zero‑tariff rollout follows a message from Xi Jinping to the 2025 FOCAC coordinators’ meeting, where he reaffirmed China’s readiness to negotiate a China‑Africa Economic Partnership for Shared Development.

Going deeper, the policy now covers 53 countries, and will be in place until 30 April 2028.

On the substance, the US had hit some African nations with tariffs of up to 30% in August, although most are now subject to a 10% tariff, after the US Supreme Court struck down many of the duties.

What they're saying

“The partnership between Kenya and China is enduring, adaptable, and robust,” said Josphat Maikara, director general for Political and Diplomatic Affairs.

The wider context

On a related note, In China's booming livestream market, a young Ethiopian woman stands out from the mostly local influencers.

Going deeper, But analysts say that while China is seizing the chance to enhance its soft power, they point out that tariffs are rarely the main obstacle for exporters in Africa which has a huge trade deficit with China.

On the substance, China is positioning itself as the trade liberaliser and Africa-friendly economic partner, in contrast to Donald Trump and the US," says Lauren Johnston, a senior research fellow at the AustChina Institute.

Beyond the headlines, the expansion of China's zero-tariff regime could increase African agricultural exports, which will "help to elevate rural incomes, improve rural productivity, and ultimately to reduce hunger and poverty", Johnston says.

More precisely, But Sino-African trade is marked by a growing imbalance in China's favour, which means Chinese exports to Africa far exceed African exports to China, and that difference is widening.

The bottom line

• The zero-tariff regime gives China's soft power a boost, but may lead to uneven gains, say analysts.
• As of December 2024, China had already implemented a duty-free policy for 33 least-developed African nations.
• The landlocked nation in southern Africa is among just 12 countries that have diplomatic relations with Taiwan, which Beijing sees as a breakaway province that will eventually be "reunited" with China.
• Searches spiking right now: China scraps tariffs for all but one African nation, China has now dropped tariffs on imports from every African country except 1, China removes tariffs for Ghana and 52 other African countries except one, Convicted former Harvard scientist rebuilds brain computer lab in China.