Tariff: Resolve issues through consultation, China, Africa urge US

The representatives of the People’s Republic of China, 53 African countries, and the African Union Commission have called on the U.S. to resolve all tariff issues with consultation based on equality, respect and mutual benefit.

The group made the call when they gathered in Changsha to advance the full implementation of the Beijing Declaration on ‘Jointly Building an All-Weather China-Africa Community with a Shared Future for the New Era’.

A statement released by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday said the meeting was guided by the consensus reached by the Chinese and African leaders during the 2024 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

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It noted that certain countries’ attempt to disrupt the existing international economic and trade order by tariffs undermines the common good of the international community.

“We call on all countries, the United States in particular, to return to the right track of resolving trade disputes through consultation based on equality, respect and mutual benefit.

“The international community should give prioritised attention to the economic difficulties and development challenges faced by African countries,” the statement said.

While condemning unilateralism, protectionism and economic bullying that have created severe difficulties for the economic and social development and the improvement of livelihood in Africa, the group also agreed to address the issue of economic bullying of the Global South.

“We call on the international community to uphold true multilateralism in accordance with the principle of extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit, jointly oppose all forms of unilateralism and protectionism, safeguard the U.N.-centered international system, defend the WTO-centered multilateral trading system, and make economic globalization more open, inclusive, mutually beneficial and balanced, so as to foster a better trade, investment and financing environment for the Global South,” it said.

China vowed to expand the zero-tariff treatment for 100 per cent tariff lines to all 53 African countries having diplomatic relations with it, to welcome quality products from Africa to the Chinese market.

“For the least developed countries in Africa, on top of the zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines announced at the 2024 Beijing Summit of FOCAC, China will roll out measures on market access, inspection and quarantine, and customs clearance to boost trade in goods, enhance skills and technical training, and expand the promotion of quality products”, it said.