AUC chief hails China's timely zero-tariff initiative amid global uncertainties

China's decision to grant zero-tariff treatment to products from African countries is a "very timely" move, as the spillove of the Iran war has posed mounting challenges for African countries, African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf said recently.

Starting from May 1, China expands its zero-tariff treatment to cover all 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic ties. The country has already scrapped tariffs on 100 percent of tariff lines for 33 least developed countries (LDCs) in Africa since Dec 1, 2024.

Speaking to China Media Group on April 21, Youssouf said that China's brotherly gesture brings great encouragement to the African people.

"Now we are faced with the huge challenges. The fertilizers are not coming, because of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The farming season now went, you know, ahead without those fertilizers. So the risk of food insecurity is very high in the coming months. And we also see kind of isolationist policies across the world. And protection is, you know, growing everywhere," said Youssouf.

"So the decision of His Excellency President Xi to allow African products to enter the Chinese market with zero tariff is very timely. I would like to really express on behalf of the Commission our sincere gratitude for this very brotherly gesture that all Africans appreciate," Youssouf continued.

Youssouf also urged the international community to heed Africa's voice and push for fairer multilateral trade rules. He praised China's engagement through the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), saying China is working to build a fair and transparent partnership with Africa.

"I think the world trade rules and procedures have to be really revisited, because the way now things are handled globally is putting African countries, African economies in very awkward situations. That's why we believe that a more equitable, a more balanced rules and procedures of the WTO should be really put in place," said Youssouf.

"We appreciate China's policy with the African countries. We also value this fair and transparent partnership that President Xi, his government are trying to really to put in place with regard to, you known, China-Africa relationship through the FOCAC platform," Youssouf said.

AUC chief hails China's timely zero-tariff initiative amid global uncertainties

Paying membership dues is a mandatory, non-negotiable obligation for all United Nations member states, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Thursday, responding to a series of reform conditions proposed by the United States.

Media reported that the United States has issued two diplomatic notes demanding nine reforms of the United Nations as conditions for the U.S. government to pay its outstanding dues. These include overhauling the UN pension system, ending long-distance business-class travel for some senior and all mid-level professionals, making further cuts in the UN senior ranks, and implementing a 10 percent reduction in peacekeeping missions.

"The money we are talking about is referred to as assessed contributions. Assessed contributions are an obligation of member states. They are non-negotiable. Obviously, we will do our best to pursue our reforms, UN80, and to make sure that we make this organization as effective and as cost effective, and is able to deliver for the people we care for, but these are two separate things," said Guterres at a media briefing.

In January, Guterres warned that the UN faced "imminent financial collapse" due to unpaid fees, mostly owed by the United States.

The UN said in February that the United States has paid about 160 million U.S. dollars of the more than 4 billion U.S. dollars it owes the UN.

UN membership dues mandatory, non-negotiable: Guterres