The Emirates Policy Center posted on 24 October 2025 the English-language version of a study titled "China Exempts African Exports from Tariffs: Opportunities and Challenges for Gulf Countries."
China's decision to give full tariff exemptions for African exports could provide targeted benefits to specific sectors and countries. Some estimates suggest the tariff exemption could increase African exports to China from $170 billion annually to $250 billion. China's non-tariff barriers will continue, however, to limit imports from Africa.
Gulf state exporters may be able to re-export their products to China through Africa. Higher tariffs on African goods imposed by the Trump administration combined with China's elimination of tariffs creates favorable conditions for China to expand its influence in Africa.
Comment: While Beijing's decision should provide modest benefits for African countries, the fact remains that China has a significant trade surplus with Africa and this is not likely to change. Other than natural resources and some agricultural products, Africa just does not offer China exports that it wants to buy. China's elimination of tariffs will not make African value added and manufactured products sufficiently competitive in the Chinese market.
