Africa-Press. Chinese state media reported that Beijing will apply zero tariffs on imports from 53 African countries that have diplomatic relations with China, starting on May 1.
A report by state television said Beijing will also continue to push for negotiations and the signing of economic partnership agreements, and will expand African exporters’ access to the Chinese market through updated mechanisms such as what it calls a “green channel.”
The move is seen as a new strategic step in China’s efforts to strengthen its trade position in Africa amid U.S. and European competition.
Last June, Beijing said it was ready to remove tariffs for all African countries that maintain diplomatic ties with China, during the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing.
Days ago, China and South Africa signed a cooperation agreement on trade and investment on the sidelines of meetings of the joint trade and economic commission held in Beijing.
The agreement aims to grant South African exports tariff-free access to the Chinese market, as Pretoria seeks to attract more Chinese investment into key sectors.
The trade war launched by Donald Trump has pushed exporters to look for markets outside the United States.
China’s trade surplus rose to $1.2 trillion in 2025, extending a record growth streak, amid concerns that Beijing will keep redirecting export flows to Africa, Latin America, and other regions to offset a reduced share of the U.S. market.
In 2025, Chinese exports to Africa recorded the fastest growth among major regions, rising 26% year-on-year.
