China Ready to Drop All Tarrifs on African Imports
China has announced it will remove all import taxes on goods coming from African countries. This major trade decision affects 52 African nations that have a friendly relationship with China.
The announcement came during the China-Africa cooperation meeting, just as African countries are worried about higher taxes on their products going to America. China wants to make it cheaper and easier for African businesses to sell their goods to Chinese customers.
China has been Africa’s biggest trading partner for 15 years. In 2023, Africa sold about $170 billion worth of goods to China, making it a very important business relationship for both countries.
Expanding an Existing Deal
This new plan builds on something China started last year. Back then, China removed import taxes on goods from 33 African countries that were considered the poorest. Now they want to expand this deal to include all African countries they work with.
The biggest list will include some of China’s largest African trading partners, like South Africa and Nigeria. However, China hasn’t exactly said when this news policy will start working. Only one African who won’t benefit from this deal. Eswatini is left out because it recognises Taiwan as an independent country, which China strongly disagrees with. China considers Taiwan part of its own territory.
Trump Retaliates Against African Imports
China currently buys lots of raw materials from Africa, especially from countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo and Guinea. These materials are used to make products in Chinese factories.
At the same time, President Trump has announced plans to put high taxes on many imports coming into America. African countries would be hit hard by these new charges; Lesotho could face 50% taxes, South Africa 30%, and Nigeria 14%.
Trump’s tariff plans have been delayed until next month, but they could be postponed longer for countries that negotiate properly, as per US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
The Competition for African Trade
In their joint statement, China and African leaders criticized countries that disrupt international trade by putting up new barriers. Without naming America directly, they called on them to solve trade problems through equality, respect, and mutual benefit.
Last year, America imported $39.5 billion worth of goods from Africa. Some of these goods came in without taxes through a special deal called the African Growth and Opportunity Act. But this agreement could be in danger if Trump goes ahead with his new tariffs.
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