China Removes Tariffs On All Imports From Nigeria And 52 Others

China has revealed its decision to completely remove tariffs on imports from African nations that share diplomatic ties with it. This development marks a significant adjustment aimed at strengthening its economic relationship with the continent as it solidifies its role as a vital partner in trade and investment.

This zero-tariff policy applies to Nigeria along with 52 other African nations but does not include Eswatini the sole country on the continent that maintains official relations with Taiwan.

This major shift was revealed after Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with top African representatives during a gathering held in Changsha, located in China’s Hunan province.

Previously, such exemptions from tariffs were granted only to the continent’s poorest economies, but this latest policy represents a broad extension beyond that limited scope.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping, in his official message to African foreign ministers, declared that “zero-tariff treatment for 100 per cent of tariff lines” will now benefit all 53 African countries that have formal diplomatic connections with Beijing.

This new approach expands upon promises made earlier at a China-Africa summit last September when preferential access was given to 33 of the continent’s least-developed nations.

The impact of these efforts is already showing, with Chinese exports to Africa climbing by 12.4% within the first five months of the year, hitting an unprecedented 963 billion yuan ($134 billion), as disclosed by China’s Foreign Ministry.

This gesture from Beijing arises against the backdrop of increasing friction in trade relations between Africa and the United States.

In the joint statement released after the meeting, countries, particularly the US, were urged to “return to the right track” of resolving trade disputes through dialogue based on mutual respect.

This message comes in response to President Trump’s latest move to impose high tariffs on various African countries.

The levies introduced include duties of up to 50 per cent on goods from Lesotho, 47 per cent on items from Madagascar, 40 per cent on products from Mauritius, 38 per cent on Botswana’s exports, and 31 per cent on goods coming from South Africa — the continent’s top industrial hub and leading U.S. trade partner.

More than 30 African nations now stand at risk of losing the trade benefits provided under the U.S. African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a critical trade framework that has faced growing doubts in recent times.

President Donald Trump had previously hinted at plans to introduce reciprocal tariffs on all American trading partners, raising fresh concerns about the continuity of AGOA and other similar special agreements.

China’s latest zero-tariff initiative is seen as offering Africa a more reliable and steady economic partnership, especially as global trade tensions intensify.


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