China Implements Duty-Free Policy for Goods from 53 African Countries, Including Tunisia

China has initiated the implementation of a duty-free policy covering all goods from 53 African countries with which it maintains diplomatic relations, including Tunisia. This initiative aims to strengthen trade and economic cooperation with the continent.

Background

This policy came into effect on September 14, 2024, initially benefiting 33 African countries classified as least developed, for whom the exemption applied to all products. China has since decided to extend this measure to other African countries not classified in this category, including Tunisia, offering a preferential treatment consisting of a total duty-free exemption for a period of two years.

Strategic Orientation

The decision to exempt duties, announced by Chinese diplomatic sources, is part of the implementation of an announcement made by Chinese President Xi Jinping in a congratulatory message on the occasion of the 39th African Union Summit in February last year. In this message, the Chinese president emphasized that this initiative is part of a strategic orientation aimed at strengthening economic partnership with African countries, alongside the conclusion of cooperation agreements designed to stimulate common development.

Tunisia's Agricultural Exports

Regarding Tunisia, olive oil is among the main agricultural products intended for export. The Chinese Embassy in Tunis has, in recent periods, organized information sessions in Tunisia on inspection, quarantine, and import rules for food products.

Non-Tariff Measures

China has also given particular importance to non-tariff measures, with the General Administration of Customs revising regulations related to the registration of foreign companies exporting food products, to facilitate access to the Chinese market. In this context, a notable increase in the number of Tunisian companies producing olive oil registered with Chinese authorities has been observed.

Support for Tunisian Exporters

In the context of supporting this orientation, the Chinese Embassy has invited the Tunisian Centre for Export Promotion (CEPEX) to propose a number of major companies in the sector, in order to accompany them on the ground and remove any obstacles they may encounter during registration and export procedures.

Next Phase

The next phase should see a strengthening of coordination between the two countries, with efforts aimed at accelerating the entry of Tunisian agricultural and food products onto the Chinese market and encouraging the diversification of exports to take advantage of the strong potential of this market.

Key Features of the Policy

It is worth noting that this policy differs from traditional free trade agreements, as it is based on the principle of unilateral and progressive tariff exemption, without requiring reciprocal reductions. In this framework, the two parties are working towards the conclusion of economic partnership agreements guaranteeing a durable and stable institutional framework.

China-Tunisia Partnership

China and Tunisia have already reached an agreement on the general framework of this partnership, which will soon be concluded between the two parties.