By Nkiruka Nnorom with agency report
The Chinese President, Xi Jinping, has said that his country will scrap trade tariffs for all African countries starting from May 1.
Xi made the announcement yesterday at the ongoing annual African Union summit at Ethiopia.
China already has a zero-tariff policy for imports from 33 African countries, but Beijing said last year as part of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) partnership actions, that it would extend the policy to all 53 of its diplomatic partners on the continent.
The zero levies, according to Chinese State Media, would 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.
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.
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.”
FOCAC focuses on infrastructure, industrialization, and development aid, and is often aligned with the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
The 2024 Beijing Summit highlighted 10 partnership actions, covering areas like trade, agriculture, and digital technology.
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