China expands zero-tariff treatment to all 53 African countries with diplomatic ties
Primary region China
Tags Diplomacy · Political economy
Regions China · Africa
China expanded zero-tariff treatment to all 53 African countries with diplomatic relations with Beijing, effective May 1, 2026 through April 30, 2028. The policy adds 20 non-least-developed African countries to the 33 LDCs already covered since December 2024. Eswatini is excluded as it maintains ties with Taiwan. The first batch under the new policy — 24 tonnes of South African apples — cleared customs in Shenzhen on May 1. China-Africa trade reached 646.56 billion yuan ($94.56 billion) in Q1 2026, up 23.7% year-on-year. China has been Africa's largest trading partner for 17 consecutive years. The policy fits into China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) opening-up agenda.
Strategic interpretation
The zero-tariff expansion is a strategic move to deepen economic ties with Africa at a time when US engagement on the continent has declined under the Trump administration. It reinforces China's positioning as the Global South's preferred economic partner and builds diplomatic goodwill ahead of the 2027 Party Congress. The exclusion of Eswatini serves as a warning to other nations considering Taiwan ties.