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China-Africa relations
ChinaDiplomacy

Bye-bye, US? Why China’s trade with Africa benefits from Trump’s policy volatility

Continent is China’s fastest growing export market in first quarter of 2026, with machinery and hi-tech shipments leading US$60 billion surge

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Motor vehicles bound for export to Ivory Coast are loaded on a cargo ship at Yantai port in China’s eastern Shandong province on Monday. Photo: Xinhua
Jevans Nyabiage

Africa was China’s fastest growing export market in the first quarter of 2026, up 32.1 per cent year on year to US$60.66 billion, according to customs data, reflecting a continuing shift away from American trade.

The growth outpaced other regions of the world, driven by high-value shipments such as machinery and vehicles as well as hi-tech equipment, including solar and battery technology.

It continued a trend of Chinese manufacturers turning to the continent to offload excess capacity, particularly as the US and Europe tighten trade barriers on new energy products such as electric vehicles and solar panels.
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Analysts said rising China-Africa trade reflected a geopolitical pivot away from America as tariffs championed by US President Donald Trump became unpredictable and a stronger yuan made the goods in Africa more affordable.
Imports from Africa also rose 17.6 per cent to US$31.59 billion during the quarter, according to China’s General Administration of Customs.

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How China is reshaping its economic ties with Africa

How China is reshaping its economic ties with Africa

Beijing is buying more from Africa to address long-standing complaints about trade imbalances, but China still held a US$29.07 billion surplus with the continent for the quarter.

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