Recently, after concluding his visit to the African Union and some African countries, the Foreign Minister stated in an interview that the most frequently mentioned term during his visit was “zero tariffs.” This initiative is a golden calling card for China-Africa cooperation in the new era, demonstrating China’s determination to expand high-level opening-up and assume more international obligations.
From December 1, 2024, China will apply a preferential tariff rate of zero to 100% of products originating from the least developed countries that have established diplomatic relations with China. For products subject to tariff quotas, the in-quota tariff rate will be reduced to zero, while the out-of-quota tariff rate will remain unchanged. Over the past year, mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Africa has continued to advance, and trade vitality has been continuously unleashed.
</ … In June 2025, China further announced its willingness to implement a zero-tariff policy on 100% of products from 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic relations, through the signing of an agreement on joint economic development. This policy provides greater convenience for African countries' exports to China. Several experts analyzed and interpreted the positive impact of the zero-tariff policy on Sino-African trade. Song Wei, a professor at the School of International Relations at Beijing Foreign Studies University, pointed out that the zero-tariff policy is an important tool for China to support African development, mainly by enhancing trade development capabilities to promote development in various sectors in Africa. On the one hand, it enhances the competitiveness and export volume of African products in the Chinese market. Batches of distinctive African agricultural products, such as Ethiopian coffee and Congolese peanuts, have entered the Chinese market along the zero-tariff channel, injecting new vitality into Sino-African economic and trade cooperation. On the other hand, it promotes the optimization of the Sino-African trade structure, drives the development of related industrial chains in Africa, and stimulates the development of new business models such as cross-border e-commerce in Africa. As more distinctive African agricultural products enter the Chinese market, the processing, preservation, and cold chain capabilities of local agricultural products are further improved. At the same time, various platforms built by China, as well as new business models such as cross-border e-commerce and live-streaming e-commerce, have expanded more business opportunities for African enterprises. The zero-tariff policy has also instilled confidence in African countries in coping with external shocks. The Foreign Minister stated that zero tariffs are a timely help for the African people, acting as a "subtraction" from tariffs, an "addition" to development, a "multiplication" to people's livelihoods, and a "division" against excessive tariffs. Professor Song Wei elaborated on its benefits: lower tariffs reduce trade barriers and lower the cost for African products to enter the Chinese market; accelerate the connection of African products to the Chinese market, expand local production and processing capabilities in Africa, and speed up their integration into the global market; have a multiplier effect on African people's livelihoods, boost Sino-African trade, and positively impact African people's livelihoods, employment, poverty reduction, and industrial stability; and eliminate the negative impact of unilateralism and trade protectionism, alleviating the development difficulties and unfair situations faced by African countries. Furthermore, the zero-tariff policy helps African countries better integrate into the global value chain. Song Wei believes that this policy promotes the linkage of exports, investment, and employment, comprehensively promoting African development. With the full implementation of the zero-tariff policy for Africa, the cost of African exports to China has decreased, and the development of related industries has accelerated. This will attract global companies to invest and build factories in Africa, enhancing African countries' ability to attract foreign investment and promoting local employment. Zhang Qiaowen, a professor at the Institute of African Studies at Zhejiang Normal University, stated that as China embarks on a new phase of its 15th Five-Year Plan and expands its high-level opening-up, especially with the support of the zero-tariff policy, Sino-African economic and trade relations will see more new growth points. In traditional sectors such as agriculture and mining, both sides are expected to deepen economic and trade exchanges; in emerging fields such as the green economy, digital economy, and artificial intelligence, the prospects for cooperation are broad and the potential is unlimited. It is believed that China will help African countries form a more complete industrial chain and better integrate into the global value chain through policies such as zero tariffs.
