China extends full tariff-free access to boost trade with Africa, LDCs

China

China extends full tariff-free access to boost trade with Africa, LDCs

2025-05-21 17:26 Last Updated At：19:47

An official from the Ministry of Commerce on Wednesday announced China's continued support for 33 African nations and other least developed countries (LDCs) with diplomatic ties, helping them fully utilize zero-tariff treatment for all tariff lines.

The zero-tariff treatment, a voluntary and unilateral move to open its market wider and share its opportunities with LDCs, was announced by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

"From December 1st last year when the zero-tariff treatment was launched, to March this year, China's imports from Africa's least developed countries reached 21.42 billion U.S. dollars, marking a 15.2 percent year-on-year increase," said Shen Xiang, director of the West Asia and Africa Department under the Ministry of Commerce.

Since the conclusion of the FOCAC 2024 summit, the number of African agricultural products allowed entry to the Chinese market has increased significantly. A total of 22 products from 18 African countries, such as soybeans from Zambia and peanuts from Nigeria, are now eligible for export to China, according to Shen.

China has also taken special measures including setting up a designated area at the 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE) to highlight African products and better conduct domestic buyers with African companies, a move that has effectively boosted the popularity of various African agricultural products in China.

Propelled by the zero-tariff treatment, China's imports of African coffee surged by 70.4 percent in the first quarter of 2025 alone, while cocoa bean imports grew by 56.8 percent.

Opening the Chinese market has significantly helped many African country's domestic development. Since Rwanda's dried chili peppers entered China in 2021, pepper has become a key export product for the country, bringing benefits to thousands of pepper farmers.

"We will continue to support the LDCs, particularly those in Africa, in fully utilizing this preferential policy, expanding the scale and variety of exports to China, and enjoying development opportunities provided by China's big market. This will also provide Chinese consumers and businesses with more affordable and high-quality options," Shen said.

FIFA World Cup squads confirmed

All 1,248 players of the 48 teams at the 2026 FIFA World Cup have been confirmed following the submission of final squad lists to FIFA, the world football governing body announced Tuesday.

Lionel Messi of Argentina, Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal and Guillermo Ochoa of Mexico will feature in their sixth World Cup campaigns, while Cabo Verde, Curacao, Jordan and Uzbekistan are going to play their first World Cup.

The tournament opens on June 11 and 104 matches will be played in Canada, Mexico and the United States, with the final to be played on July 19.

"The confirmed squad lists underline the scale and enduring appeal of the tournament with 357 players returning after at least one previous FIFA World Cup squad inclusion. Some 891 players are set to experience the competition for the first time, highlighting both continuity and renewal across the global game," FIFA said.

Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon will be the oldest player at the tournament at 43 years and 162 days old, while Mexico's Gilberto Mora will be the youngest at 17 years and 240 days old. There will be 22 players under 20 years old and seven players aged 40 or above at the start of the tournament.