China to remove tariffs on African imports to boost trade

Republic of the Congo President Denis Sassou Nguesso, African co-chair of the FOCAC, shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping the ninth Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit in September 2024. REUTERS - Florence Lo

China says it will sign a new economic pact with Africa that will get rid of all tariffs on the 53 African states it has diplomatic ties with – a move that could benefit middle-income nations as they prepare for tariff hikes on products entering the United States.

The move, announced at a China-Africa co-operation meeting (FOCAC) in Changsha, central China, comes as the continent faces the possibility of increased tariffs on its products entering the US.