China to eliminate tariffs on African exports, Morocco among beneficiaries
China has announced plans to eliminate all tariffs on goods from 53 African countries it maintains diplomatic ties with, including Morocco. The move, announced following a meeting between senior Chinese and African officials in Changsha, is part of a broader economic pact aimed at boosting African exports to the Chinese market.
The initiative will extend duty-free access beyond least developed countries (LDCs) to include middle-income nations. «It enables middle-income countries like Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt and Morocco... to be able to now enter the Chinese market duty-free» Hannah Ryder, head of the Africa-focused consultancy Development Reimagined, told Reuters on Thursday.
The move is expected to boost access for value-added African products to the vast Chinese market. Morocco, with its growing industrial base, particularly in automotive and agri-food sectors, stands to benefit. It is worth noting that Moroccan exports to China reached $1.3 billion in 2024, a figure expected to rise under the new plan.
En 2024, les exportations marocaines vers la #Chine se sont élevées à 1,3 milliard de dollars. Avec la nouvelle mesure de zéro #tarif, ce chiffre va continuer d'augmenter. pic.twitter.com/jpN4aXBCF6
— Ambassade de Chine au Maroc (@ChineAmbMaroc) June 13, 2025
The Chinese foreign ministry also pledged additional support for LDCs to ensure they are not disadvantaged by the new arrangement.
The measure could help rebalance trade, which remains skewed in China's favor. Last year, China recorded a $62 billion trade surplus with Africa.
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