Source: Zim eyes China trade boost under zero tariff policy – herald
Business Reporter
ZIMBABWE is positioning itself to deepen trade and industrial cooperation with China following the implementation of Beijing’s landmark zero-tariff policy for African exports and renewed support for industrialisation initiatives across the continent.
In a briefing on China’s zero-tariff policy and industrialisation support in Harare yesterday, China’s economic and commercial counsellor, Mr Huang Minghai, said the new framework presents extraordinary opportunities for Zimbabwean exporters, manufacturers and investors seeking access to the Chinese market.
Mr Huang’s briefing comes shortly after Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe His Excellency Zhou Ding’s report back meeting with a group of journalists who travelled to China this month.
China started rolling out zero-tariff treatment for products from 53 African countries with diplomatic relations with Beijing, from May 1.
Mr Huang said the measure reflects China’s commitment to inclusive economic cooperation and deeper integration with African economies.
“This policy was designed out of consideration for longstanding friendship and commitment to common development, rather than short-term commercial interests,” he said.
He described the initiative as a major step towards strengthening Africa-China trade relations at a time of growing global economic uncertainty and slowing international trade growth.
In 2025, bilateral trade between Zimbabwe and China reached a record US$4.39 billion, representing a 14.7 percent increase year-on-year.
Zimbabwe enjoyed a trade surplus of US$720 million, with Chinese imports from Zimbabwe outpacing its exports.
According to Mr Huang, China has become the first major economy to implement comprehensive zero-tariff treatment for all African countries under such an arrangement.
The move is expected to cushion African economies against external shocks while stimulating exports and industrial growth.
Zimbabwe stands to benefit significantly from the policy, particularly through increased exports of agricultural and value-added products into the vast Chinese consumer market.
Products expected to gain immediate advantages include tobacco, horticultural produce, leather, essential oils and cotton.
Tobacco remains China’s largest import from Zimbabwe, reaching a record US$790 m in 2025, accounting for 31 percent of China’s total imports from Zimbabwe.
China also imported 5 250 tonnes of macadamia nuts from Zimbabwe, valued at US$11.62 million.
Mr Huang said Zimbabwean tobacco previously attracted a 10 percent tariff when entering China, while products such as avocados, citrus fruits and macadamia nuts faced duties exceeding 10 percent.
“With the implementation of the zero-tariff policy, these products now enjoy zero tariffs when exported to China,” he said.
The removal of tariffs could improve the competitiveness of Zimbabwean exports, increase foreign currency inflows and stimulate investment into local processing industries.
Beyond trade gains, China expects the policy to attract more Chinese investment into Zimbabwe’s manufacturing and agro-processing sectors as firms seek to build regional supply chains linked to exports into China.
Mr Huang noted that the zero-tariff arrangement is part of the ongoing negotiations under the China-Africa Economic Partnership Agreement for Shared Development (CADEPA), a framework designed to institutionalise long-term preferential trade arrangements.
The zero-tariff regime has a two-year transitional arrangement intended to allow African countries to benefit immediately while more negotiations continue.
“Within this two-year window, China and Zimbabwe still need to continue early-harvest negotiations under CADEPA so that Zimbabwe can enjoy zero-tariff treatment in a long-term, stable and institutional manner consistent with WTO rules,” Mr Huang said.
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