Chinese State Media Tries to Put a Positive Spin on Trade Ties With Tanzania

The Communist Party-run tabloid Global Times is trying its very best to send a positive message about the state of China’s trade with Tanzania. On Tuesday, the newspaper featured an interview with Chinese ambassador Chen Mingjian who touted the recent announcement to remove tariffs on 98% of Tanzanian exports while boosting purchases of agricultural products like soybeans and avocados.

The problem is that Tanzania, like the overwhelming majority of African countries, simply does not produce enough high-value goods and services to sell to China that will have any meaningful impact on the gaping trade imbalance.

  • Get a daily email packed with the latest China-Africa news and analysis.
  • Read exclusive insights on the key trends shaping China-Africa relations.
  • Full access to the News Feed that provides daily updates on Chinese engagement in Africa and throughout the Global South.

China, Africa and the Global South... find out what’s happening.

Subscribe today for unlimited access.

What is The China-Global South Project?

Independent

The China-Global South Project is passionately independent, non-partisan and does not advocate for any country, company or culture.

News

A carefully curated selection of the day’s most important China-Global South stories. Updated 24 hours a day by human editors. No bots, no algorithms.

Analysis

Diverse, often unconventional insights from scholars, analysts, journalists and a variety of stakeholders in the China-Global South discourse.

Networking

A unique professional network of China-Africa scholars, analysts, journalists and other practioners from around the world.