As China's role in the global economy continues to grow, its trade policy towards Africa has also attracted increasing attention. In 2024, China announced that it would grant 100% zero tariff treatment to all products from the least developed countries (LDCs) that have diplomatic relations with China, including 33 African countries. This move is intended to strengthen China-Africa cooperation, but it has sparked different views among analysts. This article will delve into the intentions behind this policy, its potential impact on the economies of African countries, and the challenges that may be faced in reality.

Policy background: deepening China-Africa cooperation

Chinese President Xi Jinping announced this zero tariff policy at the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Summit, intending to provide more opportunities for the African market and deepen economic cooperation with Africa. According to Chinese officials, this policy will promote African products to enter the Chinese market and help promote African economic development. However, some analysts believe that this policy may be more of a means for China to expand its influence in Africa rather than simply economic assistance.

China's investment and cooperation in Africa has a long history. Through its participation in infrastructure construction, energy projects and agricultural investment, China has established deep economic ties in Africa. The implementation of the zero-tariff policy is intended to further strengthen these links and make it easier for African countries' exports to enter the Chinese market. China also hopes to use this to strengthen solidarity and cooperation among the "global south" countries and promote inclusive economic globalization.

Analysts' concerns: Can Africa really benefit?

Although this policy seems to provide African countries with an opportunity to enter the Chinese market, some economic experts believe that its effect may be limited. Emmanuel Owusu-Sekire, director of policy and project research at the African Center for Economic Transformation (ACET), pointed out that the economic structural problems of African countries make it difficult for them to fully utilize this opportunity. Due to weak infrastructure and low industrial diversification, many African countries find it difficult to provide high-quality and large-scale goods that meet the needs of the Chinese market. In contrast, Chinese companies may find it easier to enter the African market with the help of the zero-tariff policy, thus putting pressure on local manufacturing.

For example, in many manufacturing fields such as textiles and electronics, Africa's local production capacity has long been impacted by external competition. Chinese companies have obvious advantages in these fields, so when the African market opens to Chinese products, the living space of many local companies may be further squeezed. As Owusu-Sekire said, this policy is more likely to further expand China's economic influence in Africa rather than directly drive the long-term development of the African economy.

The role of the United States and competition in China-Africa relations

The introduction of China's zero tariff policy comes at a time when the United States' African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) is facing renewal. Since its implementation in 2000, AGOA has provided duty-free treatment to more than 1,800 products from 32 sub-Saharan African countries. In contrast, China's zero tariff policy is more attractive in scope and content, and is therefore seen as a direct challenge to the United States' economic policy in Africa.

Samir Bhattacharya, an associate researcher at the Observer Research Foundation in New Delhi, pointed out that China is shaping an "alternative" economic order around the world through its zero tariff policy to win over African countries that are politically and economically disappointed with the United States. In contrast, the United States has stricter requirements on African countries, especially in terms of human rights and democratic governance, while China's policies appear to be more relaxed, which may make them more attractive.

Real challenges facing African countries

At the policy implementation level, African countries still need to deal with various practical problems. For example, although some countries have implemented laws to protect local retail industries, in practice, these markets are often indirectly occupied by Chinese companies through cooperation with local partners. Owusu-Sekire pointed out that African countries face not only tariff issues, but also non-tariff barriers such as product quality and production standards. These problems make it possible for African goods to face fierce competition and challenges even if they can enter the Chinese market duty-free.

In addition, the manufacturing and agricultural sectors of African countries often lack economies of scale and sufficient competitiveness, making it difficult to meet the high-quality needs of the Chinese market. This forces African countries to consider how to improve their production capacity and market adaptability when facing China's zero tariff policy. This phenomenon also highlights the need for African countries to further transform and improve their economic policies and industrial development in order to achieve sustainable long-term growth in the international market.

China's diplomatic intentions: enhancing global influence

China's zero tariff policy is not only an economic strategy in many ways, but also a political strategy. Through this policy, China shows the world its attitude as a major developing country to support the least developed countries, thereby enhancing its influence in Africa and even in the "global south" countries around the world. He Yongqian, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of Commerce, said that the initiative will enhance the export capacity of the least developed countries and promote global economic cooperation. However, this is also interpreted by many as an attempt by China to shape its own power globally.

From this perspective, the zero tariff policy is not only an economic support measure, but also a tool for China to project its influence in Africa and even the world. It helps China establish the image of a "responsible major power" on the international stage, and at the same time fills the gap caused by the "tough policies" of Western countries to a certain extent, thereby increasing China's strategic presence in Africa.

Policy prospects with both benefits and challenges

The zero tariff policy provided by China to African countries has played a certain role in promoting the further deepening of China-Africa relations. For African countries, this policy has provided more export opportunities to some extent, especially for those countries that have difficulty entering the international market through traditional channels. However, the actual effect of the policy is still limited by the economic structure, production capacity and external competitive pressure of African countries.

In the long run, if Africa wants to truly benefit from this policy, it needs to improve its industrial structure and product quality, while strengthening economic cooperation with China to jointly cope with the multiple challenges of the international market. When promoting global economic cooperation, the international community should also pay attention to the sustainable development needs of various countries and take into account their actual production and export capabilities when helping the least developed countries.

Ultimately, whether China's zero tariff policy can help African countries' economic development remains to be tested by time. As the global economic situation becomes increasingly complex, the deepening of China-Africa cooperation requires both policy openness and the wisdom and response capabilities of various countries in actual development.