China scraps tariffs for all African nations except one
China announced it will scrap import tariffs for all African nations except eSwatini, the only African state that still recognises Taiwan. The move is part of Beijing's broader push to deepen its influence on the continent; analysts say Washington and Brussels will have to respond.
China said it will eliminate import tariffs for all 53 African nations, with the sole exception of eSwatini, which still recognises Taiwan. The carve-out is widely read as a deliberate use of trade policy to enforce Beijing's 'one China' principle on the continent.
Agricultural and mineral exporters in South Africa, Kenya and Ethiopia welcomed the news within hours. The move is also a clear competitive shot at the United States and the European Union, both of which are quietly reviewing their own commercial frameworks with Africa as US-China rivalry intensifies.
The African Union called the decision 'a step that will strengthen the continent's global trade position.' Economists offered a more cautious read, warning that if Chinese demand remains skewed toward raw materials, Africa's chance to climb the manufacturing value chain may stay limited despite the new tariff terms.
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