China has announced the expansion of its tariff exemption program to cover all imports from 53 African countries that maintain diplomatic ties with Beijing, in a move aimed at strengthening economic cooperation.
The announcement was made during a ministerial meeting in Changsha as part of the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
President Xi Jinping described the initiative as a “cornerstone” of bilateral relations. Eswatini is the only African country excluded from the policy due to its recognition of Taiwan.
The decision comes at a time when U.S. trade policy toward Africa is shifting under the leadership of Donald Trump.
Through this initiative, China aims to boost trade volume — which surpassed $300 billion in 2024 — while encouraging African countries to diversify their exports beyond raw materials
