China scraps tariffs for 63 countries, while US doubles down on levies

China’s tariff exemption policy currently covers 63 countries, Sun Meijun, the head of the General Administration of Customs, announced during a press conference on Wednesday.

All 53 African countries with diplomatic ties to China are included on the waiver list, with Eswatini being the sole exception due to its continued relations with Taiwan. 

The implementation of the tariff exemption for these African nations appears to have significantly bolstered Sino-African trade, which experienced a year-on-year growth of 19.6 percent during the first six months of 2026.

In order to streamline the policy, the Chinese authorities say they have introduced measures such as expanded green channels for agricultural and food imports, risk-based customs management and integrated market access procedures.

Looking ahead, customs officials plan to strengthen alignment in customs procedures, quarantine and rules of origin, with a view to expanding China’s circle of trade partners.

As China tariffs ease, what’s the latest on US tariff policy?

China’s removal of tariffs for its trade partners contrasts sharply with the actions of the US. On Thursday, Washington announced that it would be slapping tariffs ranging between 10 to 12.5 percent on 60 countries and regions such as China, Japan, South Korea, India and the European Union. 

In a statement released on Thursday, the White House explained that the levies were being imposed due to the alleged inability of these economies to prevent the import of goods made with what it described as forced labour. 

[See more: Major Chinese exports surge posted in June]

“Today’s action will begin to correct what is both a human rights abuse and distortive trade practice to improve the welfare of workers everywhere,” US trade representative Jamieson Greer claimed.

Reactions to the new US tariffs have been negative among the various countries and blocs, including Australia, which described the measure as “completely unjustified.” Similarly, the EU said that it was a “negative surprise” that the US had not kept to its end of its trade deal with the trade and political bloc.