By John Meyer, consultant in business – Eurasia Business News, May 23, 2026 – Article no. 3004

China has removed tariffs on goods from 53 of Africa’s 54 countries, with Eswatini excluded because it recognizes Taiwan rather than Beijing. The move is widely read as an effort to cast China as the opposite of Trump-era protectionism while expanding influence in African markets.

China’s zero-tariff policy took effect on May 1 and applies to all 53 African countries that maintain diplomatic ties with China. The policy is described as covering Africa’s largest economies as well as poorer states, though the practical trade gains are uneven because many raw materials already entered China tariff-free.

Why it matters

The biggest near-term beneficiaries are likely agricultural exporters such as cocoa, coffee, citrus, avocados, apples, and wine producers, which previously faced tariffs of roughly 8% to 30%. Analysts quoted in the coverage say the gesture is politically powerful but economically limited for many African exporters because it mostly helps products where China’s own market exposure is low.

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Strategic angle

This is less a pure trade liberalization story than a geopolitical one: China is using market access to signal openness while Washington leans into tariffs. That contrast helps Beijing court African public opinion, reinforce its position as Africa’s top trade partner, and present itself as a more reliable partner than the current U.S. administration.

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Investor read

For markets, the policy is most relevant for agricultural exporters, shipping routes, and China-Africa trade relationships rather than for broad commodity pricing. The more important implication is political: it deepens Africa’s optionality between the U.S. and China and may push some countries to diversify export destinations away from the American market.

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© Copyright 2026 – Eurasia Business News. Article no. 3002