China's ‘Zero-Tariff Gift’ to Africa Has a Catch — and Eswatini Paid the Price

China has formally extended zero-tariff treatment to 53 African nations, effective May 1, 2026. But the policy's most consequential detail is not who made the list.

It is who did not. Eswatini, the landlocked southern African kingdom, was left out entirely. The reason is not economic. It is a political signal dressed as a trade announcement.

What Did China Announce?

China has expanded its duty-free regime from 33 least-developed African nations to 53 countries, running until April 2028.

Beijing has reportedly called itself the first major economy to offer unilateral zero-tariff treatment to Africa, a claim deployed pointedly against American tariffs that hit some African nations as high as 30%.

Why Does the Trade Deficit Complicate This?

Africa's trade deficit with China reportedly rose 65% last year to approximately $102 billion, with African exports dominated by crude oil and raw ores.

Alfred Schipke, director of the East Asian Institute in Singapore, reportedly told the BBC that short-term impact "will likely be modest and concentrated in African countries that already have export capacity."

Which Economies Benefit?

According to Lauren Johnston, senior research fellow at the AustChina Institute, more industrialised economies like South Africa and Morocco are best positioned, BBC reported.

Nations with weaker logistics and limited manufacturing will struggle to convert access into real gains.

Is the Real Motive Trade or Soft Power?

Largely the latter. Johnston told the BBC that China is "positioning itself as the trade liberaliser and Africa-friendly economic partner, in contrast to Donald Trump and the US."

What Structural Problem Does This Leave Untouched?

Removing tariffs on unprocessed commodities risks entrenching Africa's role as a raw material supplier rather than disrupting it.

Limited industrial capacity and weak logistics remain barriers that market access alone cannot resolve.

Why Was Eswatini Excluded?

Eswatini is one of just 12 countries that maintain formal ties with Taiwan, which Beijing considers a breakaway province.

Political scientist Wen-Ti Sung of the Australian National University's Taiwan Centre reportedly said China is "weaponising its ties with African countries, showing how relations with China come with strings attached," as per BBC News.

Could the Exclusion Work in Eswatini's Favour?

Possibly. Being visibly sidelined by Beijing may strengthen Eswatini's hand with Taipei, potentially unlocking greater economic concessions from Taiwan.

The kingdom's conspicuous loyalty has acquired real diplomatic currency.

(With inputs from yMedia)