South Africa's bilateral trade with China surges after zero-tariff deal

South Africa’s bilateral trade with China has surged following Beijing’s introduction in May of a temporary zero-tariff deal for qualifying African exports.

Commerce between the two countries reached almost $15 billion from then through to August, representing a nearly 24 per cent year-on-year increase.

Beijing’s ambassador to South Africa, Wu Peng, said on Thursday that exports to China rose nearly 25 per cent to $5.3 billion while imports from China increased 23 per cent to $9.47 billion.

South Africa’s agricultural exports to China reached nearly $500 million during the period, up more than 35 per cent year-on-year.

Increasing exports to China is part of South Africa's strategy to develop new markets as it faces a worsening relationship with the United States and potential trade barriers.

Speaking at the briefing, Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau urged South African businesses to take advantage of duty-free access to the Chinese market.

He said they should do this while the government continued negotiations aimed at providing long-term certainty for exporters and protecting local industries.

While Washington has extended the ​duty-free African Growth ⁠and Opportunity Act (AGOA) until 2028, South Africa risks being excluded.

US President Donald Trump has taken issue with a number of South Africa’s domestic and foreign policies.

It has also claims the government is persecuting white Afrikaners, an accusation the government denies.

You may also like

Niger imposes curfew on petrol sales amid national fuel shortage

Uganda says August export revenue up 36 per cent on higher gold earnings

Illegal gold mining: Who profits from Africa’s gold smuggling? [Business Africa]

From the same country

Johannesburg men run in purple briefs to raise prostate cancer awareness

South Africa: Dwindling support for ANC amid service delivery chaos

South African author defends use of AI to write her books

02:06

Niger imposes curfew on petrol sales amid national fuel shortage

00:53

Uganda says August export revenue up 36 per cent on higher gold earnings

11:06 Illegal gold mining: Who profits from Africa’s gold smuggling? [Business Africa]

01:21

Johannesburg men run in purple briefs to raise prostate cancer awareness

02:09

South Africa: Dwindling support for ANC amid service delivery chaos

01:40

South African author defends use of AI to write her books

02:06

Niger imposes curfew on petrol sales amid national fuel shortage

00:53

Uganda says August export revenue up 36 per cent on higher gold earnings

11:06 Illegal gold mining: Who profits from Africa’s gold smuggling? [Business Africa]

01:21

Johannesburg men run in purple briefs to raise prostate cancer awareness

02:09

South Africa: Dwindling support for ANC amid service delivery chaos

01:40

South African author defends use of AI to write her books

NEWS 01:17 Iranian president blames United States for failure of interim peace deal

BUSINESS

02:05

Prized wild pepper at risk in Madagascar's shrinking forests

BUSINESS 00:53 South Africa: Ramaphosa warns of devastating impact if US trade deal is lost

NEWS

01:45

Chinese navy ship brings free care and medicines to Abidjan

NEWS

01:10

Sudan: Burhan writes to Trump over truce, peace initiative

SPORT 02:02 Gianni Infantino chairs FIFA Council meeting as critics push to oust him

01:30

Nigeria

Nigeria's Tinubu defends policies as he launches re-election bid

01:13

Gabon

Gabon restores social media access after an eight-month ban

01:01 Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia's Riyadh airport partially resumes flights after Houthi attacks