China’s zero-tariff policy for Africa to benefit business, challenge US influence

China’s zero-tariff treatment for African countries is likely to benefit nations on the continent and is also a strategic move to counter the influence of the United States.

This was the view of Professor André Duvenhage, an International Relations expert from North West University, who said the zero-tariff move attempts to counter US influence in Africa and to rival the  African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) agreement, especially between South Africa and the United States.

Recently, the US extended AGOA to the end of 2028, bringing relief and more certainty for South African exporters who rely on duty-free access to the American market.

While highlighting that the AGOA agreement is critical for South Africa as an export market and for the car industry, Duvenhage said China’s zero-tariff, announced by President Xi Jinping on 1 May 2026, will benefit some African countries.

”I believe that this (zero-tariff) can benefit some African countries without a doubt, especially when it comes to exporting strategic minerals. Otherwise, I think China would also like to see a market for its industrial products, because although China had a long and strong reputation for economic growth, they are currently facing economic challenges,” he said.

He added China’s move is particularly significant amid growing global polarisation.

“It’s part of the bigger context of power politics in the world, playing out on the terrain of the economy, finances, exports and imports. We know about all the blockades that are going on, American tariffs and so on. This is all part of a bigger political strategy,” he said.

Duvenhage’s comments followed the briefing reception on China’s zero-tariff treatment for African countries, hosted by Chinese Ambassador to South Africa Wu Peng in Pretoria on Thursday where he described the positive impact of the tariff move for South Africa.

The event, themed “Zero Tariffs, Zero Distance,” was jointly hosted with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition and the South African Revenue Service.

“Zero tariffs mean that South African products can enter the Chinese market under the most favourable conditions. Zero distance means that businesses and consumers in the two countries will be brought closer together than ever before,” he said.

He said that China had implemented zero-tariff treatment for 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic relations from May 1. 

“This makes China the first major economy in the world to unilaterally extend comprehensive zero-tariff treatment to all African countries with which it maintains diplomatic relations. I remember that at midnight on 1 May, 24 tonnes of fresh apples from South Africa cleared through customs at China’s Shenzhen Bay Port. This became the first import to enter China under the new zero-tariff treatment,” he said.

Wu said since the implementation of zero-tariffs, China-South Africa economic and trade cooperation has continued to gain positive momentum.

“First, bilateral trade has grown significantly. According to SARS, trade between China and South Africa reached nearly 15 billion US dollars from May to August, an increase of nearly 24% year-on-year,” he said.

He added that South Africa’s exports to China totalled US$9.47 billion, up 23% year-on-year while imports from China stood at US$9.47 billion, up 23% year-on-year. 

“Maybe this is the first time South Africa’s exports to China outpace imports from China,” he said.

“With the Green Lane 2.0 announced by China, South African products such as wild aquatic products and dried chili have gained access to the Chinese market through the Regional Integrated Access. In September this year, China and South Africa signed a protocol for exporting South African cherries to China,” he said.

Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau said the briefing reception aimed to raise awareness of the tariff measure and provide a structured platform to address questions from South African businesses.  

Tau said the zero-tariff treatment policy means China is implementing a unilateral preference scheme granting duty-free market access for 100% of the products, with the exception of 47 tariff lines subject to a tariff rate quota. 

“This was announced by President Xi on 14 February 2026 in his congratulatory message to the AU Summit, and it is valid between 1 May 2026 – 30 April 2028. South African products that meet the rules of origin can enter the Chinese market without customs duties. From 1 June to 31 August, SARS issued 25 975 certificates of origin. Customs declarations rose by 199 percent year on year,” he said.

Tau said South Africa has already developed a Top 100 value-added product portfolio for the Chinese market.

“The portfolio cuts across agro-processing, beverages, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, machinery, medical equipment, fabricated metals, plastics and rubber, automotive products and other industrial capabilities,” he said.

rapula.moatshe@nationalmg.co.za