China’s zero-tariff policy now covers 53 of Africa’s 54 countries, excluding one in Southern Africa

All but one of Africa’s 54 countries are now covered under China’s zero-tariff policy, following the addition of 20 more nations on May 1. The move leaves a single Southern African country, Eswatini as the only exception to Beijing’s sweeping duty-free access across the continent.

• China's zero-tariff policy now covers all African countries except Eswatini as of May 1.
• Eswatini is excluded due to its diplomatic relationship with Taiwan, which China opposes.
• China is using its trade policy to signal the consequences of supporting Taiwan versus supporting China.
• Eswatini's diplomatic isolation was highlighted when neighboring countries denied Taiwan's president airspace access.

Eswatini, a landlocked Southern African nation with a population of about 1.2 million, is the only African country excluded from China’s expanded zero-tariff policy.

The reason for this exclusion is Eswatini's continued diplomatic relationship with Taiwan. China considers Taiwan a breakaway province and maintains a long-term goal of "reunification."

While some observers compare the tensions between Taiwan and China to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the historical contexts differ significantly.

Wen-Ti Sung, a political scientist at the Australian National University based in Taiwan, explained that by excluding Eswatini, China is “weaponizing its ties with African countries and showing how relations with China come with strings attached” according to the BBC.

He added that China intends for the world to see a stark contrast between how it treats its "friends" versus how it treats the allies of Taiwan.

Eswatini’s landlocked geography presents further diplomatic challenges; visitors from outside the continent must typically pass through the airspace of neighboring countries to enter.

Taiwan, China face-off during Eswatini visit

The diplomatic standoff intensified last month when Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te was effectively prevented from visiting Eswatini after Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar denied him overflight clearance, forcing a reroute and effectively derailing the planned trip.

Taipei accused Beijing of exerting behind-the-scenes pressure to block the visit and “squeeze Taiwan’s international space,” while Taiwan’s allies and officials in Washington framed the incident as part of a broader contest over diplomatic recognition and influence in Africa.

The United States has repeatedly signaled interest in preserving Taiwan’s remaining partnerships on the continent, viewing them as strategically important amid growing US–China rivalry.

China, however, maintained that countries’ adherence to the “One China” principle is a legitimate sovereign choice, insisting that Taiwan’s international engagements should not occur in ways that undermine Beijing’s territorial claims.

The episode highlighted how tightly contested Taiwan’s diplomatic footprint remains, particularly in regions where China’s economic and political influence is expanding.

As the trade war between China and the United States escalates, their strategies in Africa are entirely different.

While the U.S. adopted a commercially hostile stance in 2025, imposing 30% tariffs on nations such as Libya, South Africa, and Angola, China has moved in the opposite direction by abolishing tariffs for almost the entire continent.

While there is still a whooping 102 billion trade gap between Africa and China, China continues to deepen its commercial impact and strengthen its influence across Africa.

Victor Awogbemila