Trump puts the duties, Xi takes them away: away the rates to 53 African countries. So China has conquered the forgotten continent

According to data released by the General Administration of Customs (GAC), economic and commercial cooperation between China and Africa is demonstrating a strong vitality, benefiting in the last 25 years of a rapid increase in commercial volume (Here a recent analysis of the ISPI on bilateral relationships). The total imports and exports of China with African countries have gone from less than 100 billion yuan (about 13.9 billion dollars) In 2000 to 2,100 billion Yuan in 2024, marking an average annual growth of 14.2 percent. The GAC has also published the Cina-Africa 2024 commercial index, which has reached a record of 1,056.53 points.

China greater commercial partner

According to Beijing, the index uses the year 2000 as a reference parameter, set at 100 points. At the end of 2024, China was the largest commercial partner of Africa for 16 consecutive years and so far the growth of bilateral trade has continued to accelerate in 2025. According to the previous data provided by the GAC, Chinese trade with African countries has reached a record level In the first five months of this year, increasing by 12.4 percent on an annual basis and reaching 963.21 billion yuan.

The push to the global South

Promotion of cooperation between members of the global South, contrast of « protectionism and economic bullying », an increase in the development of the development of African countries and promotion of international relations based on equality and mutual respect. These are the main lines, contained in the final declaration, which emerged from the ministerial meeting of the Forum on Cina-Africa cooperation (Focac)which ended in Changsha after three days of work. The Beijing initiative, which was attended by the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and representatives of 53 African delegations, was an opportunity to strengthen Chinese penetration on the continent in a moment of strong instability.

The final document

In the final document, the participants in the works reaffirmed the desire to « stabilize an uncertain world with the certainty of relations » between China and Africa, as well as to promote a fair multipolar order, ordered and based on mutual respect and on the defense of legitimate rights of all countries. Particular attention has been attributed to the implementation of the ten partnerships for the modernization announced at the end of the Focac summit held in Beijing last September, which encourage cooperation in sectors such as green industry, electronic commerce, artificial intelligence, finance and safety.

The agreement with 53 countries

On the commercial level, China said he was ready to negotiate an economic partnership agreement for the development shared with all 53 African countries that entertain diplomatic relations with Beijing. The agreement will extend the exemption from 100 percent customs duties of the goods imported from these countries. The less developed ones will benefit, in addition to the tariff exemption regime, also of subsidies to the market and in the inspection, quarantine and customs clearance procedures. The document also relaunches the implementation of the second ten -year plan of the Agenda 2063 of the African Union And he defines 2026 as the year of exchanges between the peoples of China and Africa.

The five proposals

Foreign Minister Wang Yi has advanced five proposals to promote the development of cooperation with Africa – including the exemption of duties for partner countries – by invoking the « firm support on issues that concern their respective fundamental interests », as well as « a further strengthening of mutual political trust ». Wang has hoped for collaboration to guarantee « inclusive economic globalization » and the protection of multilateral exchanges focusing on the World Trade Organization, announcing that Beijing will work to implement the initiatives in support of industrialization, agricultural modernization and the training of Africa, as well as supporting the continent in the « performance of an even greater role » in international affairs.

The attention to the Horn of Africa

The Horn of Africa is the subject of particular interest for the Chinese Foreign Minister. In the meeting with the Ethiopian counterpart Timotheos Wang, he underlined the intention of « strengthening strategic communication with Ethiopia », recognizing the two countries the role of « important representatives of the global South and members of the BRICS group ». Beijing intends to « promote common development through mutually advantageous cooperation and safeguard common interests through unity and cooperation, » said Wangaccording to which China and Ethiopia should strengthen the integration of their respective development strategies and explore the cooperation potential in various sectors, With particular attention to the Vehicle sector to new energy, green industries, electronic commerce and artificial intelligence. Similarly, in the meeting with Gibuti’s counterpart Wang said that China is ready to support the transformation of the country strategically positioned on the Red Sea into a regional commercial and logistical center.

The collaboration with Gibuti

« China is ready to collaborate with Gibuti to build a belt of economic development and prosperity based on the Addis Abeba-Gibuti railway and help Gibuti become a regional commercial and logistical pole, » said the Chinese minister, thus also confirming support for Ethiopian access to the sea. Wang has assured that Beijing will continue « to support Dier in the fulfillment of his duties as president of the intergovernmental authority for the development, to support the unity and self -sufficiency of Africa, to solve African problems in an African way ».