South Africa promotes China's zero-tariff policy amid US trade uncertainty
On 22 October 2026 in Pretoria, South Africa's trade minister and China's ambassador held a conference to explain China's "zero customs duty" policy to local economic actors. Minister Parks Tau said an announcement on the African Growth and Opportunity Act is expected in early November and that South Africa is diversifying its trading partners to reduce risk to its economy. China has promised zero tariffs on eligible South African exports since May, though Beijing must still validate its sanitary requirements before shipments can enter.
Why it matters: It illustrates how uncertainty over US preferential market access is driving South Africa's trade diversification toward China, a central concern of the trade policy theme.