GeopoWeb posted on 18 May 2026 an analysis titled "Africa, China, and Zero Tariffs: A Diplomatic Gesture Put to the Test by the Data" by Thierry Pairault.
Effective on May 1, China began a policy of zero tariffs on imports from all African countries except Eswatini, which recognizes Taiwan. Six African countries (South Africa, DRC, Angola, Guinea, Zambia, and Congo Brazzaville) now supply three quarters of China's imports from Africa. Most of these imports consist of minerals, metals, and crude oil, which already enter China duty free.
A modest quantity of African agricultural products will benefit from the zero-tariff policy. Landlocked African countries, which tend to be among the poorest, will receive little or no benefit from the zero-tariff policy because of transportation constraints. In addition, non-tariff barriers such as sanitary standards remain in effect. Thierry identifies several other barriers to increased African exports to China that will limit the impact of the zero-tariff policy. He also compares the impact of EU and Chinese imports from Africa.
Thierry concludes the zero-tariff policy has less to do with rebalancing trade between China and Africa than it is an effective diplomatic tool at little cost to China but also limited in its economic impact.
