China and 53 African countries have jointly called on nations particularly the United States to return to resolving trade disputes through dialogue, stressing the need for equal, respectful, and reciprocal consultation.
The appeal came after a meeting in Changsha, capital of Hunan Province, between China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, and African delegates. The gathering also included the African Union Commission.
The joint statement follows the White House’s 2 April announcement of new tariffs dubbed the “Liberation Day” tariffs which imposed some of the highest levies on goods from African nations. These include tariffs of up to 50 per cent on products from Lesotho, 47 per cent from Madagascar, 40 per cent from Mauritius, 38 per cent from Botswana, and 31 per cent from South Africa, the continent’s largest exporter to the United States.
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In response, the China–Africa statement said it “firmly opposes any party reaching a compromise deal at the expense of the interests of other countries”.
“We call on all countries, especially the United States, to return to the right track of resolving trade differences through consultation on an equal, respectful, and reciprocal basis,” the statement read.
The statement also revealed that China is prepared to offer zero-tariff treatment to all 53 African nations with which it maintains diplomatic ties excluding Eswatini, the only African country that recognises Taiwan.
China’s engagement with the continent has deepened in recent years, particularly as it contends with a slowing domestic economy. It has become Africa’s largest lender and has intensified cooperation in sectors including agriculture, infrastructure, and clean energy.
For Chinese state-owned infrastructure firms facing fewer domestic projects and for industries such as electric vehicles and solar panels where Western nations accuse China of overcapacity Africa provides a vital market and growth opportunity.
