Trump Tariffs: Is Africa Turning to China?

Tariffs imposed by Donald Trump have led African countries to seek alternatives, with China offering a lifeline.

Nigerian economist Bismarck Rewane told CNN that Africa is "going straight into the hands of China" as a result of the tariffs.

Four African nations—Libya, South Africa, Algeria, and Tunisia—face the steepest tariffs, with export charges ranging from 25% to 30%. Eighteen other countries on the continent were hit with 15% tariffs.

China has offered to mitigate the impact of US tariffs by eliminating import duties for almost all of its African partners.

South African researcher Neo Letswalo urged countries to turn exclusively to China and make it the next US, as America is gradually losing its global leadership position.

However, Letswalo also cautioned about the dangers of over-reliance on China, stressing that Chinese products could flood African markets. He also recommended the rapid implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to boost trade among African countries.