China will implement a zero-tariff policy for imports from all but one African nation starting May 1, President Xi Jinping announced Saturday, marking a significant expansion of its preferential trade access to the continent. The policy will apply to all 53 African countries with which Beijing maintains diplomatic relations, with the sole exception being Eswatini, which maintains official ties with Taiwan.
This move extends an existing arrangement where China already grants duty-free access to goods from 33 African nations under the “Forum on China-Africa Cooperation” framework. Beijing first pledged the broader exemption in 2022, positioning it as a commitment to deepen economic ties and support African development. As Africa’s largest trading partner, China has invested heavily in regional infrastructure through its Belt and Road Initiative, and the tariff removal is framed as a measure to boost continental trade and industrialisation.
The exception for Eswatini underscores China’s longstanding position that Taiwan is an inseparable part of its territory. Beijing demands that all nations, including African states, choose between formal relations with China or Taiwan. Eswatini remains one of the few countries to recognise Taipei, a stance that excludes it from preferential trade benefits. China does not renounce the use of force to achieve unification with the self-ruled island.
President Xi made the announcement during the African Union summit in Ethiopia, suggesting the policy aims to strengthen China’s geopolitical influence on the continent. The timing also reflects a broader strategic shift, as some African nations seek diversified economic partnerships following the global tariff hikes imposed by former U.S. President Donald Trump.Xi stated the initiative “will undoubtedly provide new opportunities for African development.”
In related diplomatic remarks, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi cautioned the United States against actions perceived as challenging China’s core interests. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Wang warned that U.S. efforts to “instigate and plot to split China through Taiwan” would cross a red line and could lead to direct confrontation. He urged Washington to adopt a “positive and pragmatic” approach while noting Beijing’s preparedness for risks.
Wang also addressed tensions with Japan, criticising what he described as far-right forces in Tokyo seeking to revive militarism. He warned that such a path would lead to “self-destruction,” calling on peace-loving nations to clearly oppose these trends. The comments reflect ongoing friction between Beijing and Tokyo over regional security and historical issues.
The dual announcements—economic generosity toward Africa coupled with firm warnings to the U.S. and Japan—highlight China’s use of trade policy as a diplomatic tool while maintaining a hardline stance on sovereignty issues. The May 1 tariff implementation is slated to deepen China-Africa commercial links, reinforcing its role as a key development partner amid global trade uncertainties. Observers will watch whether the policy translates into increased African exports to China and how it influences diplomatic alignments across the continent.
