China Waives Tariffs for Africa, French Media: Diplomatic Gift More Symbolic Than Substantial
China has waived import tariffs on products from African nations, with the exception of Taiwan's diplomatic ally Eswatini. French media reported that this 'diplomatic gift' is more symbolic than substantial, with many African merchants in Guangzhou remaining skeptical, citing non-tariff barriers as the main obstacles to trade.
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- 📰 Published: May 1, 2026 at 21:24
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Central News Agency (CNA) reporter Tseng Yi-hsuan, Paris, 1st – China today began to abolish import tariffs on products from African countries, with the exception of Eswatini, a diplomatic ally of Taiwan. French media 'Les Echos' reported that China is using this 'diplomatic gift' to present itself as a cooperative partner, but African merchants in Guangzhou remain skeptical.
Baohan Straight Street in Guangzhou is a well-known gathering place for the African community. The reporter from 'Les Echos' met Stéphane Kouamé, a young merchant from Côte d'Ivoire, who exports various goods from Guangzhou to Africa, including cosmetics, decorations, and building materials. However, importing from Africa to China is much more difficult.
Kouamé, who has lived in Guangzhou for 10 years, said: "Importing goods to China has always been difficult, requiring guarantees and expertise in transportation. Some African countries have also started to regulate exports... I import a small amount of agricultural products and food, very little. For me, the tariff waiver will not make any difference."
The report mentioned that this preferential measure has been applicable to 33 less developed African countries since 2005 and is now expanded to larger economies such as South Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Angola. Chinese customs data shows that these three countries will account for nearly 56% of Africa's exports to China in 2025.
The report pointed out that China, as the world's second-largest economy, hopes to show its "African brothers" that its market is open to African products, thereby positioning itself as a proponent of free trade, in contrast to the protectionism of US President Trump and the European Union (EU), and demonstrating that China can be a reliable partner for African countries.
Sun Yuzhou, Associate Professor of History at Fudan University in Shanghai, said in the report that this measure is part of a broader strategic shift. China hopes to expand trade and reduce infrastructure in Africa. In the current context of deglobalization, it also has symbolic and geopolitical significance.
The report states that bilateral trade is currently heavily skewed in China's favor, with China exporting goods worth US$225 billion to Africa in 2025, but only purchasing US$123 billion worth of goods from Africa, mainly minerals, agricultural products, and oil.
Eric Olander, Editor-in-Chief of the "China-Global South Project," analyzed: "Rather than a trade measure, this is a political measure, with strong symbolic significance, because it pits China against the United States... But Africa cannot balance trade by selling coffee and avocados. China offers gifts because it costs little."
Maximiliano Mendez-Parra, a researcher at the UK think tank 'Overseas Development Institute (ODI Global),' estimates that this measure will reduce China's tariff revenue by US$1.4 billion, which is a drop in the ocean for this massive economy.
African traders in Guangzhou are skeptical of this measure because the difficulties most of them encounter when importing goods are due to other barriers, not tariffs.
Many merchants said they cannot compete with Chinese companies. Olander stated that these companies, which were previously merely intermediaries, now occupy an important position in the import and export industry, even controlling "both ends of trade."
Baila Diop, a Belgian of Mauritanian descent, said: "I consulted on importing fish from Mauritania, but Chinese companies are already doing it; they have negotiated with the government and obtained fishing permits... We cannot compete with the Chinese in terms of scale."
Cissé Daouda from Mali added: "The Chinese are stronger and richer, and they have offices in Africa. The strong rule, which allows them to impose their conditions."
Africa also faces competition from Latin American agricultural giants such as Brazil and Argentina, which export large quantities of soybeans and beef globally.
Olander stated that most African countries cannot meet China's demand, and China's increasingly stringent health regulations require time and money to fully understand them. For example, it took Kenya three years to export avocados, as China requires avocados to be flash-frozen locally, but the relevant equipment is very expensive.
Based on these reasons, Linda Calabrese, a researcher at the Overseas Development Institute, believes that the new measures are unlikely to truly change the current situation of African exports, and non-tariff barriers are the key. (Editor: Tang Sheng-yang) 1150501
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Baohan Straight Street in Guangzhou is a well-known gathering place for the African community. The reporter from 'Les Echos' met Stéphane Kouamé, a young merchant from Côte d'Ivoire, who exports various goods from Guangzhou to Africa, including cosmetics, decorations, and building materials. However, importing from Africa to China is much more difficult.
Kouamé, who has lived in Guangzhou for 10 years, said: "Importing goods to China has always been difficult, requiring guarantees and expertise in transportation. Some African countries have also started to regulate exports... I import a small amount of agricultural products and food, very little. For me, the tariff waiver will not make any difference."
The report mentioned that this preferential measure has been applicable to 33 less developed African countries since 2005 and is now expanded to larger economies such as South Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Angola. Chinese customs data shows that these three countries will account for nearly 56% of Africa's exports to China in 2025.
The report pointed out that China, as the world's second-largest economy, hopes to show its "African brothers" that its market is open to African products, thereby positioning itself as a proponent of free trade, in contrast to the protectionism of US President Trump and the European Union (EU), and demonstrating that China can be a reliable partner for African countries.
Sun Yuzhou, Associate Professor of History at Fudan University in Shanghai, said in the report that this measure is part of a broader strategic shift. China hopes to expand trade and reduce infrastructure in Africa. In the current context of deglobalization, it also has symbolic and geopolitical significance.
The report states that bilateral trade is currently heavily skewed in China's favor, with China exporting goods worth US$225 billion to Africa in 2025, but only purchasing US$123 billion worth of goods from Africa, mainly minerals, agricultural products, and oil.
Eric Olander, Editor-in-Chief of the "China-Global South Project," analyzed: "Rather than a trade measure, this is a political measure, with strong symbolic significance, because it pits China against the United States... But Africa cannot balance trade by selling coffee and avocados. China offers gifts because it costs little."
Maximiliano Mendez-Parra, a researcher at the UK think tank 'Overseas Development Institute (ODI Global),' estimates that this measure will reduce China's tariff revenue by US$1.4 billion, which is a drop in the ocean for this massive economy.
African traders in Guangzhou are skeptical of this measure because the difficulties most of them encounter when importing goods are due to other barriers, not tariffs.
Many merchants said they cannot compete with Chinese companies. Olander stated that these companies, which were previously merely intermediaries, now occupy an important position in the import and export industry, even controlling "both ends of trade."
Baila Diop, a Belgian of Mauritanian descent, said: "I consulted on importing fish from Mauritania, but Chinese companies are already doing it; they have negotiated with the government and obtained fishing permits... We cannot compete with the Chinese in terms of scale."
Cissé Daouda from Mali added: "The Chinese are stronger and richer, and they have offices in Africa. The strong rule, which allows them to impose their conditions."
Africa also faces competition from Latin American agricultural giants such as Brazil and Argentina, which export large quantities of soybeans and beef globally.
Olander stated that most African countries cannot meet China's demand, and China's increasingly stringent health regulations require time and money to fully understand them. For example, it took Kenya three years to export avocados, as China requires avocados to be flash-frozen locally, but the relevant equipment is very expensive.
Based on these reasons, Linda Calabrese, a researcher at the Overseas Development Institute, believes that the new measures are unlikely to truly change the current situation of African exports, and non-tariff barriers are the key. (Editor: Tang Sheng-yang) 1150501
Choose to stand with the facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency 'First-hand News' APP to instantly grasp the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, broadcast, transmitted, or used without authorization.