China to Scrap Tariffs for African Nations as U.S. Raises Trade Barriers
China has announced plans to remove tariffs on goods from all African nations—except eSwatini—in a move set to bolster trade ties across the continent. The policy shift comes as the United States imposes steep tariff hikes on African exports, with some rates reaching 30 percent.
The contrasting trade strategies are already reshaping economic alignments. South Africa, one of the continent’s largest economies, is scrambling to adjust after being hit with the new U.S. tariffs. Officials in Pretoria say they are accelerating efforts to deepen relations with “reliable” partners, including the European Union and China, to safeguard exports and diversify markets.
Analysts warn that the tariff battle could tilt Africa’s trade balance further toward Beijing, which has steadily increased its economic footprint on the continent over the past two decades. Meanwhile, eSwatini—Africa’s last absolute monarchy and a nation maintaining diplomatic ties with Taiwan—remains excluded from China’s tariff relief plan.
Trade experts say the developments could mark a turning point in Africa’s global economic partnerships, as nations weigh the benefits of tariff-free access to China against the risks of growing dependence on a single market.
