South Africa, China’s largest trade partner in the continent, and other Southern African Customs Union (SACU) members are suffering from an unforeseen barrier to enjoying Beijing’s zero-tariff policy.
The hurdle is eSwatini’s continued diplomatic recognition of Taiwan and hence exclusion from the favourable policy.
SACU customs deals are negotiated collectively among the five member states, which means none can unilaterally benefit from the preferential tariff exemption.
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Beijing sees Taiwan as part of China to be reunited by force if necessary. Most countries, including the United States and the rest of Africa, do not recognise Taiwan as an independent state. But Washington is opposed to any attempt to take the self-ruled island by force and is committed to supplying it with weapons.
John Steenhuisen, South Africa’s minister of agriculture, said in a recent interview that duty-free access to China had been rendered “quite complicated” as the country is part of SACU, whose other members are Botswana, Lesotho and Namibia.
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SACU’s collective bargaining agreement prevents individual members from accessing Beijing’s zero-tariff deal, so the exclusion of eSwatini over its recognition of Taiwan means all five are excluded.