On May 1, China eliminated all tariffs on imports from African countries, with the exception of one, Eswatini. The tiny South African kingdom is being punished for extending diplomatic recognition to Taiwan. Economists are mixed on the impact of this move, but the messaging is brilliant. As the United States creates barriers to trade and treats Africa with contempt and disdain, China scores points with a key diplomatic bloc and source of vital raw materials.China gets a lot of credit for its outreach to Africa, but Japan cultivated relations with those same nations long before Beijing put them in its sights. Tokyo must step up those efforts and work with other partners to ensure that African countries have geopolitical choices. The affinity for China runs deep but it can — should — be countered.By December 2024, 33 of Africa’s least-developed countries enjoyed duty-free access to the Chinese market. In June 2025, Beijing announced that it would extend that policy to 20 middle-income countries on the continent, including all but Eswatini. They will enjoy that status until April 30, 2028; their subsequent treatment is unclear. A formal trade arrangement is expected.