China has announced its intention to remove tariffs on imports of goods from all African countries with which it has diplomatic relations, in a move seen as a strategy to strengthen its trade relations with Africa amid escalating trade tensions with the United States.

The decision was announced at a China-Africa cooperation meeting and comes as African countries face the possibility of a significant increase in US tariffs on their exports to the US.

China has been Africa’s largest trading partner for 15 years, absorbing African goods worth about $170 billion in 2023. The new measure extends an agreement last year to lift tariffs on products from 33 African countries classified as “less developed.”

Including Nigeria and South Africa

The expansion of the agreement now includes some of China’s largest trading partners on the continent, such as South Africa and Nigeria. However, China has not yet announced when the decision will take effect.

The only exception is Eswatini, the only African country not included in the zero-tariff program, as it diplomatically recognizes Taiwan as an independent state, which Beijing considers a breakaway province.

China already imports significant quantities of raw materials from Africa, with the Democratic Republic of Congo and Guinea as key suppliers.

Accusations against the US for trade protectionism

In a joint ministerial statement, participants criticized the imposition of unilateral tariffs by some countries, making indirect reference to the United States. “Some countries are disrupting the international economic and trade order by unilaterally imposing tariffs,” they said, calling on the US to resolve trade disputes on the basis of “equality, respect and mutual benefit.”

New US tariffs on the horizon

Beijing’s move comes in response to a wave of new tariffs announced in April by President Donald Trump on imports to the US from several countries, including African nations. The measures include tariffs of 50% for Lesotho, 30% for South Africa and 14% for Nigeria.

The implementation of the measures has been temporarily suspended until next month, with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessend leaving open the possibility of further postponement for countries negotiating “in good faith.”

In 2024, the US imported $39.5 billion worth of goods from Africa, some of which was imported under the zero-duty Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) agreement, which is now in question if the Trump administration’s new tariffs are eventually implemented.