All but one of the 54 African countries are now covered by China’s zero-tariff policy, following the inclusion of 20 more nations on May 1. The decision leaves a single country in the Southern region, Eswatini, as the exception to the broad duty-free access granted by Beijing to the continent.
Eswatini, a landlocked country in Southern Africa with about 1.2 million inhabitants, is the only African nation excluded from China’s expanded zero-tariff policy.
The reason for this exclusion stems from Eswatini’s ongoing diplomatic relationship with Taiwan, which China considers a breakaway province and whose “reunification” it maintains as a long-term goal.
Although some observers compare the tensions between Taiwan and China to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the historical contexts differ significantly.
Wen-Ti Sung, a political scientist at the Australian National University, explained that by excluding Eswatini, China is “exploiting its relations with African countries and showing that ties with Beijing come with strings attached,” according to the BBC.
The expert added that China wants the world to see a clear contrast between how it treats its “friends” and how it treats Taiwan’s allies.
Its landlocked status poses additional diplomatic challenges for Eswatini, as visitors from outside the continent typically have to fly through the airspace of neighboring countries to enter the country.
Taiwan and China Clash Over Visit to Eswatini
The diplomatic standoff intensified last month when Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te was effectively prevented from visiting Eswatini after Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar refused to authorize overflight, forcing a detour and rendering the planned trip unfeasible.
Taipei accused China of exerting behind-the-scenes pressure to block the visit and “reduce Taiwan’s international space,” while Taiwan’s allies and officials in the United States framed the incident as part of a broader dispute over diplomatic recognition and influence in Africa.
The United States (U.S.) has repeatedly signaled its interest in preserving Taiwan’s remaining partnerships on the continent, considering them strategically important in the context of the growing rivalry between Washington and Beijing.
China, for its part, maintains that countries’ adherence to the “One China” principle constitutes a legitimate sovereign choice, insisting that Taiwan’s international engagement must not occur in a way that compromises its territorial claims.
The incident highlighted just how contested Taiwan’s diplomatic presence remains, particularly in regions where China’s economic and political influence is expanding.
As the trade war between China and the U.S. intensifies, the two countries’ strategies in Africa are taking different paths.
While the US adopted a more protectionist trade stance in 2025, imposing 30% tariffs on countries such as Libya, South Africa, and Angola, China moved in the opposite direction, eliminating tariffs for nearly the entire continent.
Although a $102 billion trade deficit persists between Africa and China, Beijing continues to deepen its economic presence and strengthen its influence across the African continent.
Source: Business Insider Africa
