China has dropped tariffs on imports from 53 African nations, granting them tariff-free trade access for a period of two years [1].
This move signals a strategic effort to deepen economic ties across the continent while utilizing trade incentives to pressure nations into aligning with Beijing's diplomatic preferences.
The policy was announced Feb. 14, 2024 [4], and took effect on the following Friday. Under the terms of the agreement, 53 participating nations [1] can export goods to the Chinese market without facing standard import duties for two years [2].
Eswatini is the only African nation excluded from the deal [3]. The exclusion is a direct result of Eswatini maintaining formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, a stance that China opposes as part of its "one China" policy.
Trade officials said the measure is intended to benefit African economies by lowering the cost of entry into one of the world's largest consumer markets. However, the selective nature of the agreement highlights the intersection of commerce and geopolitics in the region.
By isolating Eswatini, China leverages economic access to encourage the remaining African state with ties to Taiwan to shift its recognition toward Beijing. This pattern of "economic diplomacy" has been observed in other regions where trade concessions are linked to diplomatic recognition.
“China has dropped tariffs on imports from 53 African nations”
The exclusion of Eswatini demonstrates that China views trade policy as a primary tool for diplomatic leverage. By offering a two-year window of tariff-free access to nearly every other African nation, Beijing is creating a significant economic incentive for Eswatini to sever ties with Taiwan in exchange for market access.
