.jpeg) |
| Chinese President Xi Jinping smiles as he shakes hands with African leaders at an international conference. |
Dhaka, June 13, 2025 —
Why does China want to grant duty-free benefits to 53 African countries?
China recently announced that it will grant 100 percent duty-free benefits to 53 African countries. This is a major step by China in importing African products, which will apply to countries with diplomatic relations. The announcement comes at a time when there are fears of possible additional tariffs from the United States on African products. There is a multifaceted geopolitical and economic strategy behind China's move.
First, expanding geopolitical influence: China has been Africa's largest trading partner for 15 years. By providing these duty-free benefits, China wants to further increase its economic and political influence in Africa. Especially when the United States has created uncertainty about the future of its 'Africa Growth and Opportunity Act' (AGOA), China is trying to fill this gap. Through this, China wants to strengthen its position on the world stage by increasing solidarity and cooperation among countries in the Global South.
Second, ensuring the supply of raw materials: Africa is an important source of raw materials for China. China imports a large amount of minerals and other raw materials, especially from Congo and Guinea. By further strengthening trade relations with African countries through duty-free benefits, China wants to ensure the supply of raw materials necessary for its industrial production.
Third, expanding the market for its own products: Although the duty-free benefits are for importing African products, they will also help increase the demand and acceptance of Chinese products in the African market in the long term. A large amount of Chinese industrial products, electronics and machinery are exported to the African market. These exports can be further expanded through a strong economic partnership.
Fourth, supporting developing economies: China sees itself as a developing country and is interested in building a 'same community' partnership with countries in the Global South. By supporting the economic development of African countries, China wants to play its role as a global development partner. This will facilitate access to China's market for African countries and encourage their export growth.
Fifth, competition and strategic positioning: While leaders like US President Donald Trump are announcing retaliatory tariffs on products from various countries, China is setting an example of a liberal trade policy by offering duty-free benefits. This will further attract African countries to China and highlight China's 'inclusive and non-discriminatory' policy in international trade. Only Eswatini (since it recognizes Taiwan as an independent country) will be excluded from this duty-free benefit, which also indicates their strict stance towards China's 'one China policy'.
