Why is Eswatini the Only African Country Left Out of China’s Zero-Tariff Deal?

China has just announced a sweeping economic gesture, zero-tariff access for 53 African countries. It’s part of a bigger plan to deepen trade ties and boost imports from the continent. But there’s one country not on that list: Eswatini.

At first glance, the exclusion might seem like a minor footnote in a broader trade policy. But in global politics, small details often speak volumes. Eswatini’s omission is not about trade performance or development level. It’s about diplomatic loyalty, and one of the most sensitive issues in China’s foreign policy: Taiwan.

It is a political snub

Eswatini is the only African country that still maintains official diplomatic relations with Taiwan, instead of recognizing the People’s Republic of China. 

For Beijing, this is a dealbreaker. China enforces a One China Policy, which insists that all countries wishing to engage in formal relations with it must not recognize Taiwan as a separate nation.

This policy isn’t just symbolic, it’s a firm political line. Countries that cross it are often shut out of Chinese aid, investment, and trade benefits. 

Eswatini has chosen to remain loyal to Taiwan, a move that comes at a price. In this case, the price is exclusion from China’s latest zero-tariff initiative.

China’s Strategy: Trade, Influence, and Soft Power

The zero-tariff offer is more than a goodwill gesture. It’s part of China’s broader economic play in Africa. With its own economy slowing, China is looking to ramp up imports and secure new trade routes. 

Africa presents that opportunity, rich in resources, young in population, and increasingly open to foreign investment.

By removing tariffs, China makes it easier for African goods especially raw materials, agricultural products, and textiles to enter its massive domestic market. 

This doesn’t just help African exporters; it also boosts China’s influence as a preferred trade partner, especially in the face of rising tensions between Africa and the United States.

At a recent high-level meeting in Changsha, Chinese officials and African leaders jointly called for fairer trade relations and criticized Western protectionism. China used the moment to position itself as a friend of Africa, ready to open its market, if countries play by its rules.

The U.S. Factor

The backdrop to this new deal includes rising trade friction between African nations and the United States. Recent U.S. tariffs have hit several African countries hard, with some facing duties as high as 50%. 

These moves have pushed many African leaders to look elsewhere for reliable trade partners.

China is capitalizing on this shift and Eswatini, by standing with Taiwan, has placed itself outside this new economic alliance.

What lies ahead for Eswatini?

Unless Eswatini changes its diplomatic course, it will likely continue to be left out of China’s economic packages. 

This may not affect its economy drastically in the short term, but it isolates the country at a time when global alliances are being redrawn through trade.

For now, Eswatini stands alone in Africa in its support for Taiwan. And as long as that remains the case, it will remain on the outside of deals like this one, where economics and politics are tightly intertwined.