China says it won’t seek reciprocity with South Africa on zero-tariff policy

Envoy makes the pledge as Beijing prepares to roll out tax-free access to the Chinese market for goods from 53 African nations

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South African exports to China include fruit, grains, wine, rooibos tea and minerals. Photo: China News Service via Getty Images

Published: 4:00pm, 19 Feb 2026

China will not seek reciprocity in its latest trade agreement with South Africa, its ambassador said, as Beijing prepares to roll out an expanded zero-tariff policy for African nations from May 1.

The deal means South African goods can enter the Chinese market tax-free without any requirement for Pretoria to reciprocate by lowering its own import duties on products from China.

“In this process, China will fully accommodate South Africa’s interests and will not seek reciprocity,” Chinese ambassador to South Africa Wu Peng said on Saturday.

It came after President Xi Jinping gave an assurance to the African Union Summit – held in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa last week – that China would fully implement the zero-tariff measures for 53 African nations from May 1.

The Chinese envoy’s remarks have eased concerns in South Africa over a potential requirement for a reciprocal agreement that could have hurt its car industry.

Chinese ambassador Wu Peng and South African Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen in the town of Franschhoek on Wednesday with plums destined for China. It was the first shipment of stone fruit to be exported to the Asian nation under an agreement signed in October. Photo: Handout

Beijing’s economic sweetener comes as some African nations – facing higher tariffs in the United States – are seeking to diversify their markets. The US imposed a 30 per cent blanket tariff on South African imports last year.

China says it won’t seek reciprocity with South Africa on zero-tariff policy

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Envoy makes the pledge as Beijing prepares to roll out tax-free access to the Chinese market for goods from 53 African nations

Envoy makes the pledge as Beijing prepares to roll out tax-free access to the Chinese market for goods from 53 African nations