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

by Eric Olander

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.

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