Saturday, February 14 2026 - Beijing’s scrapping of tariffs for all but one African country will start May 1, Chinese President Xi Jinping said Saturday, according to state media.
China already has a zero-tariff policy for imports from 33
African countries, but Beijing said last year it would extend the policy to all
53 of its diplomatic partners on the continent.
China is Africa’s largest trading partner and a key backer
of major infrastructure projects in the region through its vast “Belt and Road”
initiative.
From May 1, zero levies will apply to all African countries
except Eswatini, which maintains diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
China claims the democratic island as its own and does not
rule out using force to take it.
Many African countries are increasingly looking to China and
other trading partners since US President Donald Trump imposed steep tariffs
worldwide last year.
Xi said the zero-tariff deal “will undoubtedly provide new
opportunities for African development”, announcing the date as leaders across
the continent gathered in Ethiopia for the annual African Union summit.
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