ThinkTankWeekly

Can zero-tariff policy rebalance China-Africa trade?

Brookings | 2026-02-22 | diplomacy

Topics: China, Taiwan, Trade

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English Summary

China's expansion of zero-tariff access for African nations is unlikely to rebalance trade on its own, as the continent's exports remain heavily concentrated in low-value raw materials and minerals. Despite initiatives to boost agricultural trade, China maintains a persistent $60 billion trade surplus with Africa, highlighting deep-seated structural imbalances. To achieve long-term growth, Africa must leverage this policy to attract foreign direct investment and drive industrialization, positioning itself as a strategic, low-tariff production hub for the Chinese market.

中文摘要

中國對非洲國家擴大零關稅准入,單憑此舉難以實現貿易再平衡,因為非洲大陸的出口依然高度集中在低價值的原材料與礦產。儘管有促進農業貿易的措施,中國對非洲仍維持著 600 億美元的持續貿易順差,凸顯了根深蒂固的結構性失衡。為實現長期增長,非洲必須利用此政策吸引外國直接投資並推動工業化,將自身定位為面向中國市場的戰略性低關稅生產樞紐。

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