China Grants South Africa Duty-Free Market Access Amid U.S. Tariff Tensions
China has agreed to allow duty-free imports of selected products from South Africa, as part of a trade agreement currently being finalized. This development comes as South Africa seeks to diversify its markets and expand exports, amid strained relations with the United States. The U.S. had imposed 30% tariffs on certain South African products, raising concerns about potential job losses. South Africa's Trade Minister, Parks Tau, is set to travel to China to sign the agreement, which aims to provide South African exports with preferential access to the Chinese market and attract Chinese investment. China has become South Africa's largest single-country trading partner, surpassing the European Union in 2023. The agreement is expected to benefit sectors such as minerals and agriculture, which dominate South African exports to China. 
