China to grant zero-tariff treatment to all African countries with diplomatic ties

China will expand zero-tariff treatment to all African countries that have diplomatic relations with it starting May 1, 2026, Chinese authorities announced on Tuesday.

From May 1, 2026 to April 30, 2028, China will apply zero-tariff treatment to 20 African countries that have diplomatic relations with China and are not classified as least-developed countries (LDCs), according to an announcement by the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council on Tuesday. 

This move represents the active implementation of China's earlier commitments.

For products subject to tariff-rate quotas, only the in-quota tariff rates will be reduced to zero, while out-of-quota rates will remain unchanged. During the two-year implementation period, China will continue to promote the signing of economic partnership agreements for shared development with relevant African countries, according to the statement.

The new policy also marks a further expansion of the existing tariff arrangement. For the 33 African LDCs that have diplomatic relations with China, China has granted zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent of tariff lines since December 1, 2024.

The move to expand zero-tariff treatment to the remaining 20 African countries that have diplomatic ties with China reflects China's proactive stance on expanding high-standard opening-up, and it will play an important role in strengthening China-Africa economic and trade ties and promoting the building of an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era, the statement said.

Observers said that the landmark move will strengthen China-Africa economic cooperation under China's broader opening-up, helping African countries shift exports from raw materials toward higher value-added products. Such a model represents a paradigm of equality, mutual benefit and shared development, they said.

Amid the rise of unilateralism and protectionism, developing countries, including those in Africa, are facing mounting challenges. Guided by the principles of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith, and a balanced approach to justice and interests, China has adopted innovative arrangements by taking the lead in granting zero-tariff treatment for a set period to expand market access and create development opportunities for African countries, China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) said on Tuesday.

At the same time, the nation will ensure stable and sustained benefits for African partners by advancing negotiations on economic partnership agreements for shared development, providing long-term, stable and predictable institutional support for deepening China-Africa economic and trade ties.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and African countries. The MOFCOM said that it will work with relevant departments to effectively implement the zero-tariff measures, advance negotiations on economic partnership agreements for shared development in line with the principles of equal consultation and mutual benefit, deepen institutional economic and trade cooperation, and share opportunities and pursue common development with African countries.

He Wenping, a research fellow at the China-Africa Institute, told the Global Times on Tuesday that Africa has long grappled with trade imbalances, noting that comprehensive zero-tariff access will effectively balance imports and exports while empowering Africa's independent industrial development.

This policy builds on China's sustained efforts to extend exclusive economic benefits to African nations via international platforms such as the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo and the China International Import Expo, said He, adding that these initiatives have provided tangible support, including preferential policies and complimentary exhibition booths.

Contrasting this with the rise of global protectionism and the misuse of unilateral tariffs by certain nations, He highlighted the clear distinction in China's approach.

"While some countries frequently brandish 'tariff sticks' and weaponize their domestic markets, China is building platforms for win-win cooperation," He said. "This brings practical benefits to both African nations and the Chinese people, driving shared global development."

According to customs data, China's trade with Africa surged from 87.38 billion yuan ($12.78 billion) in 2000 to 2.49 trillion yuan in 2025. Scaling up from the 10-billion-yuan bracket to the trillion-yuan level, bilateral trade has registered a 27.5-fold increase with an average annual growth rate of 14.3 percent.

Meanwhile, in the first quarter of this year, China's imports from Africa rose by 14.6 percent.